Thailand Team: 'Do not underestimate the Vietnamese team'; Coach Park gives special instructions to Phan Van Duc

Head of the Thai team: "Do not underestimate the Vietnamese team"

On the afternoon of December 25, Ms. Nualphan Lamsam encouraged the Thai players in the final training session to prepare for the second leg of the AFF Cup 2020 semi-final.

"In the match on December 26,Vietnam teamWe need to play with the highest determination and not underestimate the Vietnamese team even though we are leading the opponent 2-0 in the first leg. We all know that the Vietnamese team will not give up to reach the AFF Cup final, but that is also Thailand's goal," Head of the delegation Nualphan Lamsam shared with the press on the afternoon of December 25.

Coach Alexandre Polking and his players are ready for the second leg of the semi-final against Vietnam. He and his players had a tactical rehearsal during the 90-minute training session on the afternoon of December 25. The strategist will have to make a reasonable personnel decision, as several key players in the team have received yellow cards.

The Thai team was comfortable in the training session on the afternoon of December 25. Photo: FAT

"This is an important match, the players will have to compete under great pressure. We must regain the number one position in Southeast Asia. Therefore, the support of Thai fans at home or in Singapore is important," said the Thai billionaire.

Caution is the general spirit of the Thai team at the moment. Center back Kritsada Kaman said: "We have watched the recent matches of the Vietnamese team and see that there is nothing to be afraid of. In the next match, we will maintain the same playing style as the first leg, finding more ways to reduce the pressure of the opponent. I myself am ready to play to the best of my ability even if I receive a yellow card."

In the pre-match press conference at noon the same day, Coach Polking did not hide his opinion that he would play an attacking game against Vietnam like in the first half of the first leg between the two teams. This match will take place at 7:30 p.m. on December 26.

Indonesian coach: "We went from hell to heaven"

Head coach Shin Tae-yong expressed his happiness when leading the Indonesian team to overcome Singapore to enter the final of the AFF Cup 2020.

The home team Singapore lost 2-4 to Indonesia after 120 minutes of play, receiving a total of 3 red cards. Photo: Getty Images

"Both teams played really well. Before the match, I told my players to be careful with set pieces, which is Singapore's strength. However, we still conceded two goals from such situations. We really experienced the feeling of going from hell to heaven," Indonesia head coach Shin Tae-yong opened the post-match press conference.

He continued: "My players are still very young, there were times when they lacked the necessary calmness and coolness. However, we still took advantage to win. This will also be a lesson for Indonesian players in the future."

3 players sent off, Singapore coach does not blame the referee

Singapore coach Tatsuma Yoshida had no complaints about the referee in the second leg of the AFF Cup 2020 semi-final.

Singapore received 3 red cards in the second leg of the AFF Cup 2020 semi-final. Among them, the referee's controversial decision to send off Safuwan Baharudin in the first half. In addition, the referee, Mr. Kassem Matar Al-Hatmi, also refused to award Singapore a penalty for a clear foul by an Indonesian player.

Singapore almost beat Indonesia despite getting 3 red cards.

However, Singapore coach Tatsuma Yoshida did not blame the referee. He admitted that the home team lost their chance to reach the final, with a missed penalty in the second half's injury time.

"I have no complaints or blame for the result. We missed the chance to reach the final," coach Tatsuma Yoshida said at a press conference.

"As for the referees, when they show red cards, we have to accept them. Irfan Fandi and Hassan Sunny's red cards are nothing to complain about. I have to accept them."

Having had their first player sent off at the end of the first half, Singapore were left with just nine men in the second half but still managed to beat Indonesia. After each man reduction, the home team scored to lead 2-1 until they were level in the 87th minute, then missed a chance from the penalty spot.

Rematch against Thailand, coach Park gives special instructions to Phan Van Duc

Coach Park Hang-seo assigned a special task to Phan Van Duc in the rematch against Thailand in the second leg of the 2020 AFF Cup semi-finals.

Although he did not perform well in the first leg, Phan Van Duc is likely to be chosen by coach Park Hang-seo as the "trump card" in the second leg of the AFF Cup 2020 semi-final against Thailand.

During the training session on the afternoon of December 25, the Korean strategist had a long private conversation with his favorite student. Perhaps Mr. Park assigned an important task to the Nghe An striker in the rematch with the "War Elephants".

Phan Van Duc scored in the opening match against Laos, but after that, this player did not have good form in the remaining matches. However, Duc "tiger" is still one of the hopes when the Vietnamese team tries to turn the tables against the Thais.

Coach Park Hang-seo at the press conference before the match with Thailand. Photo: VFF

In yesterday afternoon's practice session, although it rained, it could not stop the players' determination. The whole team practiced their signature moves, prepared many attack plans, and were determined to beat Thailand by 2 goals or more.

Center back Duy Manh suffered a shoulder injury and had to rest for 2 months, but he still went to the practice field to cheer on his teammates.

Meanwhile, the two central defenders, Bui Tien Dung and Tran Dinh Trong, practiced normally, completing the training plans given by the coaching staff. Coach Park Hang-seo is waiting for the final report from the doctors before deciding whether to use these two players in the match against Thailand or not.

Despite losing 0-2 in the first leg, the score could have been leveled if the Vietnamese team had been well prepared mentally, physically and tactically. Coach Park's players were in good spirits before the rematch with Thailand.