Vietnam coach miffed by Tai Em's badly-timed wedding

BANGKOK, July 19 (Reuters) Vietnam's Phan Van Tai Em is in coach Alfred Riedl's bad books after arranging his wedding party for the same day as their Asian Cup quarter-final against Iraq.

Although the midfield playmaker will miss Saturday's match in Bangkok, Riedl is more unhappy with Tai Em's lack of faith in the Vietnamese team.

''It's very disappointing that he has no confidence in his team, or he would not have arranged his wedding for the same day as the quarter-finals,'' the Austrian told Reuters.

''I won't ask him to cancel. He's invited all the guests already.

He just didn't believe the team had a chance,'' Riedl added.

Buoyed by huge home support, co-hosts Vietnam finished a surprise second in Group B behind three-times champions Japan to reach the Asian Cup knockout stages for the first time in 47 years.

REUTERS SAM SSC1250