AFF Cup 2018: Malaysian reporter points out the difference of coach Park Hang-seo

PV: Hello Sundaresan, did you witness the ticket buying scene at Bukit Zalil? What do you know about the ticket distribution situation of the Malaysian Football Federation and other countries?

- Yes, I was there at Bukit Jalil Stadium last night (8/12). It was amazing how many people came to queue for tickets. Some even brought tents to show their waiting, and that was really admirable. Sadly, not all of them got tickets this morning and that is a problem we have to solve.

PV: This is not the first time the Malaysian team has entered a final match, but is this time the Vietnamese team bringing excitement to Malaysian fans?

- Malaysia's ticketing process went smoothly until the semi-finals, 40,000 tickets were sold online, another 40,000 tickets were sold at the stadium. But for the final, there was a problem with the online ticketing system. So many fans were very disappointed. Then at the stadium, too many people came to queue, which made things very messy. There definitely needs to be a better system to manage these issues.

Keeshaanan Sundaresan is a reporter for Fox Sports in Malaysia. Photo: Trung Kien

PV: Even though the Thai national team was eliminated, do you think Thai football is still number 1 in Southeast Asia?

- I think Thailand are still the strongest. They are without their four best players in this tournament, including Teerasil Dangda and Chanathip Songkrasin. Both are great players and if they were in the Thai squad this time, things could have been very different.

PV: What do you think about the Vietnam National Team, Vietnamese football and the ability of coach Park Hang-seo?

- I really like Park Hang-seo. I think he is a pragmatic playmaker, which is what Vietnam needs to compete with the bigger teams at the Asian Cup next month. Under Coach Park, Vietnam do not need to control the ball much, but you are extremely dangerous in counter-attacks. I have to say Park Hang-seo is a smart coach.

Malaysian reporters highly appreciate the Vietnamese team for their effective and pragmatic playing style. Photo: PV

PV: Which famous players of Vietnamese football past and present impress you the most?

- A name that always resonates with Malaysians is Le Cong Vinh. For many years, he has always been one of the best strikers in Southeast Asia and very dangerous when playing. I also remember Pham Van Quyen. Right now, my favorite Vietnamese player is Nguyen Quang Hai. He is really, really good. I was really impressed with what he did at the AFC U23 Championship.

PV: What are your predictions and comments on the first and second leg finals of the AFF Cup 2018?

- I think Malaysian fans are excited to be in the final again, but against Vietnam, defensive solidity is very important. We lost 0-2 to you in Hanoi and now is the perfect time to find out. My prediction is a bit emotional but I am from Malaysia, I think Malaysia will be able to win in Kuala Lumpur and then have a draw in Hanoi.

Vietnamese fans in Malaysia face difficulties with tickets to Bukit Zalil Stadium

(Baonghean.vn) - Bukit Jalil is the largest stadium in Southeast Asia with a capacity of about 87,000 seats. However, the organizers still cannot meet the demand to watch the first leg of the AFF Cup 2018 final between Malaysia and Vietnam on December 11.