Laos vs. Vietnam: Developing both character and mentality.

To solidify their position as title contenders and boost player confidence at the 2018 AFF Cup, the Vietnamese national team has no choice but to play proactively and offensively. The match schedule allows Coach Park to gradually adjust the team's momentum, improve cohesion between lines, and experiment with positions the coaching staff deems necessary.

Besides developing a winning style of play, Coach Park and his coaching staff must also create a "psychological state chart" for the team so that they can win without arrogance and lose without discouragement throughout the tournament.

The home team will defend with a large number of players.

The Laos national team has some notable names such as 'Laos Messi' Soukaphone Vongchiengkham, Chanthaphone Waenvongsoth, and Khonesavanh Sihavong. But that's probably not enough to put pressure on our defense, even if we press well, our players will still be able to do it.Singaporean coach Varadaraju Sundramoorthy had few opportunities to get the ball forward.

An opportunity for Xuan Truong to regain his feel for the ball. (Photo: VFF)

The clear objective for the Vietnamese team is to win, avoid injuries, and minimize yellow cards. This is an ideal opportunity for Xuan Truong to regain his form, as the Laotian midfield isn't overly aggressive. Trong Hoang will also have the chance to experience playing on the wing in a 3-4-3 formation, instead of simply as a winger as before.

Lao Football Federation (LFF) President Viphet Sihachakr believes in Laos' ability to spring a surprise against Vietnam, at least securing one point. However, according to former Lao national team coach Steve Darby, "Coach Sundramoorthy will certainly opt for a defensive strategy, deploying a large number of players in his own half to resist and relying on set pieces or counter-attacks."

The 63-year-old coach offered his assessment: “There’s no question about a victory for the Vietnamese team, because their physical condition and technical skills are better than the Laotian team. The home team might hold out until the 60th minute, but after that, I believe Park Hang-seo’s team will still secure 3 points.” This assessment is based on professional expertise from the English coach who understands football in the region situated between East and South Asia very well.

The lesson is still relevant.

In the last two AFF Cup tournaments, we were eliminated in the semi-finals in a heartbreaking manner. At the time, few believed that the Malaysian and Indonesian teams could stop us, but it still happened.

In those two AFF Cup tournaments, we didn't play badly in the group stage, even leading the group, but when it came to the play-offs, our lack of mental fortitude at crucial moments was once again exposed. In the 2016 AFF Cup, the equalizer scored by an Indonesian player at My Dinh Stadium in the 90+7th minute, cost Van Quyet and his teammates the chance to advance.

Nghe An-born player Trong Hoang will try his hand at a new position. (Photo: VFF)

Recalling 2007, our national team also had its second golden generation, including Le Cong Vinh, Duong Hong Son, Phan Van Tai Em, Huynh Quang Thanh... The Vietnamese national team reached the quarterfinals of the 2007 Asian Cup, a historic achievement at the national team level that no other generation had accomplished. The Vietnamese Olympic team reached the final qualifying round of the 2008 Olympics. These were all impressive achievements compared to football in other countries in the region.

We thought we would win the SEA Games gold medal, but ultimately, after the Vietnam U23 team fell to Myanmar in the semi-finals on penalties, and then collapsed 0-5 against Singapore in the bronze medal match, a highly anticipated SEA Games, with effusive praise from foreign media before the tournament, ended in disappointment.

Before the match against Laos, things were quite similar to the 2007 SEA Games, where Vietnamese youth football also achieved two continental feats: the U23 Asian Championship and the 18th Asian Games. Coach Park Hang Seo's team was also considered the number one contender for the 2018 AFF Cup title. Regional media outlets praised Van Quyet, Cong Phuong, and the other Vietnamese national team players to the skies.

Clearly, in addition to professional skills, the players need a stable mindset, which is crucial in a tournament where pressure and expectations are extremely important. The lesson from the 2007 SEA Games is still fresh in our minds; even with a resounding victory against Laos, Coach Park Hang Seo's team needs to know how to keep their feet on the ground if they don't want to fall hard.

In reality, at the national team level, apart from winning the AFF Cup 10 years ago, we haven't made any significant achievements.