Vietnam vs Thailand first leg final: Deserving of being a regional 'super classic' match

First leg of the finalAFF Cup 2022The match between Vietnam and Thailand is the last home match of coach Park Hang-seo, and also the match when the country is preparing to welcome the Spring. Therefore, the Vietnamese players will play at 200% of their strength to have a farewell gift for the Korean coach and gain an advantage before the second leg. The audience will overcome the cold to come to the stadium to cheer for the players and show gratitude to the coach who has been with Vietnamese football for the past 5 years.

Thailand, a worthy opponent

In the framework of Southeast Asia, the reigning champion Thailand is still the number 1 team. Seeing them leisurely beat Malaysia 3-0 in the second leg of the semi-finals shows that, even without players playing abroad, Thailand is still a giant in the regional football field.

For Thailand, this is the 10th time they have participated in the AFF Cup final, having won the championship 6 times (1996, 2000, 2002, 2014, 2016, 2020). As for the Vietnamese team, this is the 4th final in history and they are aiming for the 3rd title (2008, 2018). Interestingly, 14 years ago, Mr. Calisto led the Vietnamese team, defeating Thailand for the first time to win the AFF Cup for the first time.

Coach Park has just received the title of Outstanding Foreign Expert in 2022. Photo: Duy Khoa

Thailand is Vietnam's big rival. In 26 matches against Thailand in history, Vietnam has only won 3 matches, drawn 7 matches and lost 16. Under coach Park Hang-seo, Vietnam has met Thailand 5 times in all competitions, won 1, drawn 3 and lost only 1 match in 5 matches.

It must be said that it was not until coach Park Hang-seo that we had the confidence to face the number 1 team in Southeast Asia. In the newspapers, the atmosphere before the match showed confidence towards victory with specific people, specific moves, not just empty words of encouragement. In the 5-3-2 formation, Hoang Duc, Hung Dung, Quang Hai combined with the two wings Tan Tai, Van Hau can compete for the ball fairly with the 4-4-2 formation of the Thais.

With the round-trip format of the AFF Cup 2022, to win the championship, coaches must calculate all options for 2 matches. Experience shows that we have an advantage because we have 1 more day off and do not have to travel for the first leg, but we are at a disadvantage because we cannot play at home in the second leg. Both Vietnam and Thailand took advantage of the home field advantage in the second leg in the semi-finals, and Thailand even came from behind. In terms of expertise, we have had 4 players receive yellow cards: Hung Dung, Van Thanh (first leg) and Van Hau, Bui Tien Dung (second leg). Among them, Hung Dung and Van Hau are the pillars of the Vietnamese team, so we need to pay close attention.

Some notable faces

On the away team, veteran striker Dangda, 34, suffered a hamstring injury and was taken to the hospital for examination, so it is uncertain whether he will be able to start. Currently, Dangda is leading the race for the AFF Cup 2022 Golden Boot with 6 goals, 1 more than Tien Linh. The 34-year-old striker is also the top scorer in AFF Cup history with 25 goals, 8 goals ahead of the second-placed Noh Alam Shah of Singapore.

Que Ngoc Hai and his teammates are ready. Photo: VPF

More than anyone, Mr. Park understands his colleague Alexandre Pölking and the Thai players. The away team has players who can turn the situation around with half a chance like Panya, Phala and captain Bunmathan, showing that they are worthy opponents for Hung Dung. This is a midfielder who plays very tough, has many tricks, has both strength, endurance and tactical thinking thanks to many years of playing abroad, and is not afraid of collision. With 16 goals after 6 matches, it shows that Thailand's attack is very strong.

Thailand will keep a close eye on Tien Linh, who has scored 5 goals so far, so coach Park must prepare a plan B, Quang Hai or Van Duc will take charge of scoring.