Philippines Coach: 'Tomorrow's match is very difficult, but we are determined to win against Vietnam'

At noon on June 5, the press conference before the match between Vietnam and the Philippines in the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup in Asia took place.

Sharing at the press conference, coach Tom Saintfiet of the Philippines team said.

"The Vietnamese team is very strong and is a difficult challenge. They have just changed their head coach so it is difficult to evaluate. In the past matches, the Philippines has only won 2 matches against the Vietnamese team. We are well prepared and trying to get 3 points, even though we know this match is very difficult."

"We have studied the Vietnamese team carefully through many video analysis. They have many good young players, many experienced players, and are a strong team in Southeast Asia. I don't know what style of play coach Kim Sang-sik will apply. In the first leg, we were well prepared but lost. This time the team is in high spirits, hoping that the Philippines will get the desired result," coach Tom Saintfiet continued.

When asked by reporters about his 12 years of experience leading teams, while his colleague Kim Sang-sik was doing it for the first time, the Philippine team captain said: "It's true that I have many years of leading the National Team, but I don't think I have an advantage over coach Kim Sang-sik. This is a good and high-quality coach. I know everyone will have high expectations for Mr. Kim. I have prepared and trust in the Philippine team. Tomorrow's match is not a match between two coaches but between two teams."

Regarding the Philippines' use of many naturalized players, coach Tom Saintfiet expressed his opinion: "When discussing the future of Philippine football, we talked with the leaders and expressed our desire to find talent around the world to contribute to the Philippine National Team. Initially, we went to many countries and talked to the players. Step by step, there were players who agreed and had Philippine passports. 5-6 new players were able to wear the national team jersey. Myself and the Philippine football leaders also want to focus on the domestic league, local players, but still open the door to players around the world. The match against the Vietnamese team had players wearing the Philippine jersey for the first time."

"I don't like to discuss the coach's opinion first, everyone has their own opinion. My thinking is that those who are invited to contribute and compete are all Filipinos. They may not speak the same language but they can still communicate with each other. They compete, or rather, fight for the country, the Philippine flag. Being from the same country is good but the important thing is to fight with all your heart for the country they represent," the 51-year-old coach concluded.

The match between Vietnam and the Philippines will take place at 7 p.m. on June 6 at My Dinh Stadium./.