Thailand National Team Coach: We will play at the highest level

"This is a big match in the region, an exciting match of the tournament. The Vietnamese team is the defending champion and has won the title twice. However, the Thai team is very confident and ready for the two semi-final matches," coach Mano Polking began.

Coach Mano Polking. Photo: VFF

In the match against Singapore at the end of the group stage, coach Polking proactively rested his key players but still won 2-0. Talking about saving energy for the semi-finals, the German strategist said: "We know the quality of our squad. I trust my players. The players who played against Singapore can control the match.

We don't have an A team or a B team. The players haven't trained together for a long time so it's important to play together. I want to see how they play together in a match. I'm very pleased that everyone performed well."

Evaluating the match against Vietnam in the semi-finals, the head coach of the Thai team emphasized: "Of course we play offensively, there is no reason for me to change my philosophy. I know Vietnam is strong in transition and will try to defend well."

"Both teams are under pressure. For Vietnam, they are the defending champions, while Thailand has won the title five times, so fans are looking forward to our victory. At this stage, we have to do our best," coach Mano Polking continued.

Coach Mano Polking highly appreciated Vietnam's defense when they have not conceded a goal after 4 group stage matches: "It is very difficult to beat Vietnam. Other teams tried their best but still could not score against them. But Thailand scored in every group stage match. The important thing is that we need to be calm and careful when they counterattack.

Coach Park Hang-seo often uses 3 central defenders, sometimes switching to a 4-defender formation. The midfield supports the defense well, in addition to the depth of the squad.

However, we also have many quality players and will find ways to attack and exploit their weaknesses to defeat them. I am very excited to see how effective my tactics will be against Vietnam."

Both Thailand and Vietnam are under pressure. Photo: Hai Hoang

Coach Mano Polking admitted that he has not had much time working at Ho Chi Minh City Club so this is not an advantage.

However, this strategist believes that the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has given Vietnam a slight advantage when the National Championship was postponed, the players spent more time together on the national team, thereby understanding each other better.

Finally, the captain of the Thai team hopes to have the first time to win against Vietnam: "There is always a first time for everything. Thailand will play at the highest level. We will fight with all our might to complete the goal."