Coach Park Hang-seo: We are under excessive control of Japan's epidemic prevention

In response to a question about the Vietnamese team's preparations for the rematch with Japan, coach Park Hang-seo said: "The situation of the Vietnamese team is not good. Many players have contracted Covid-19, and the Vietnamese team only has 20 players left."

Such a situation makesVietnam teamsuffered a big loss. The Vietnam team will have their last away match and we will try our best to get the best result against Japan.

Coach Park Hang-seo reacts to Japan's epidemic prevention regulations. Photo: Hai Hoang

The Japanese team is the top team in Asia, they have a very good football organization, management and training system. We have lost to Japan many times, but tomorrow's match is unpredictable, despite many losses in terms of force."

Regarding the spirit of the Vietnamese team before the final match of the third qualifying round, Coach Park shared: "It has been 60 years since Vietnamese football has been present in the third qualifying round of the World Cup. We lost 8 and only won one match with a score of 3-1 against China.

We met the top teams in Asia and the results were not as expected. However, the Vietnamese players always showed their desire to win in every match. I believe that the trials in this big playground will help the Vietnamese team grow even more."

The Korean strategist revealed more about the situation of the Vietnamese National Team's forces: "The Vietnam Football Federation and Japan have always had a good relationship. But currently we are under excessive management in terms of epidemic prevention, which causes damage to our self-esteem. We should not be treated like that.

As the head coach, if there is anything difficult or inappropriate, I need to say it. If I violated the quarantine, I accept it, but my statement was correct.

Japan's CT index regulation is 40, while in Vietnam it is only 36. According to that criterion, Duc Chinh and two doctors were determined to be positive, which caused many difficulties for us.".

He also added:''Our language assistant tested positive for Covid-19 at the airport, but to confirm the accuracy, we requested a PCR test again, but it was not accepted. Up to now, assistant Le Huy Khoa has tested himself and the result is negative, but he is still quarantined and cannot return to work.

The Vietnam national team will strive to achieve the best results in Japan. Photo: Hai Hoang

Also at the press conference, striker Cong Phuong shared:"After 5 years of returning to Japan, but this time I am on duty for the national team. I will try my best with the team to achieve the best results. The matches in the third qualifying round were really difficult. However, the whole team has learned many valuable lessons in the top competitions.".

Before the final match of Group B of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers in Asia, the Japanese team is leading with 21 points and officially won a ticket to Qatar after a 2-0 victory over Australia.

Meanwhile, the Vietnamese team is still at the bottom of the table with 3 points and 3 points behind the team above China. The opportunity for coach Park Hang-seo's team to improve their position is very difficult, when facing strong opponents Japan on the away field.

The match between Japan and Vietnam will take place at 5:35 p.m. on March 29 (Hanoi time). In the first leg, Japan beat Vietnam 1-0.