Coach Kim Sang-sik: 'We don't need to fear Thailand'

Defeating Thailand 2-1 in the first leg of the 2024 ASEAN Cup final, the Vietnamese team has an advantage before the second leg away match.

After the historic victory over Thailand (27 years), coach Kim Sang-sik mentioned his predecessor Park Hang-seo: “Coach Park Hang-seo once said we don't need to fear Thailand and today the Vietnamese team showed its strength against the Thais.

I am very happy and excited to have won, also the first home win against Thailand in 27 years, and to bring joy to Vietnamese fans to start a new year. As I said, there is no mountain that cannot be overcome.

“To prepare for a match, I always research and analyze to have different tactics for each opponent with the sole goal of winning. Like today, I told Xuan Son to play more aggressively. The same goes for the other players. They created a match full of effort, played their best, and then won,” said coach Kim Sang-sik.

Evaluating the performance of striker Nguyen Xuan Son - the player who scored twice in the match, coach Kim Sang-sik said: "I am very happy to have Xuan Son in the team. I think this is a player that cannot be left out. However, I think Son should have been a little calmer in the match, but today he did very well."

Coach Kim also commented on Doan Ngoc Tan: “Ngoc Tan is a special player, runs a lot, is extremely hard-working, helping the Vietnamese team deal well with Thailand's attacks. Ngoc Tan also brings positive energy to his teammates.”

“Today we won and should have won by 2 goals, but I am satisfied, and at the same time hope the players can learn from the experience, then have the best preparation for the second leg of the final,” the Korean strategist emphasized.

“Today’s loss was due to carelessness. However, this forces my players to play more focused and careful in the upcoming match,” coach Kim Sang-sik concluded.

Meanwhile, striker Xuan Son shared: “I don’t care about what other people say. I only care about my performance and supporting my teammates, helping the team win.

Hoang Duc is a quality player, which makes it easier for me to play. He observes well and understands how I move, then has the right pass. When playing alongside Hoang Duc and Quang Hai, we often swap positions and bring flexibility.”./.