Thailand head coach publicly apologizes to coach Park Hang-seo after provocation

Sharing about the balance of power in the group, coach Park Hang-seo shared. "Vietnam has 1 more team in group B than group A. With this level of performance, I will have to consider rotating the squad. But this will be a challenge for each team.

All have their own strengths and it will certainly not be an easy match. The artificial turf will also cause many difficulties. We will have to focus on each match, and may have to change a lot. However, Vietnam will try to do the best we can."

Coach Park Hang-seo shared at the press conference. Photo: Khanh Tran

As the host team, Philippines coach Goran Milojevic clearly showed confidence and optimism. "I have high expectations for the 30th SEA Games tournament. The Philippines will put all their efforts into competing and trying to play the best football."

Coach Ong Kim Swee also boosted his spirits and shared his goals with the media. "I believe that the Philippines will organize this SEA Games well. This year, the teams are generally quite balanced. Among them, the Philippines has made many strong improvements."

Regarding the reason for not arriving on time, Mr. Nishino admitted: "I apologize for being late. As scheduled, the press conference is at 12:45 (local time - PV), we have our own schedule with the team."

Sharing about the quality of the tournament, Mr. Nishino affirmed: "This is the first time I have participated in the SEA Games. The first group is very difficult. I will try my best for the development of Southeast Asian football." The Japanese coach also affirmed that the U22 Thai team will play their best.

Coaches in Group B at the press conference. Photo: Khanh Tran

Also at the SEA Games press conference, coach A. Nishino apologized to assistant Sasa Todic for his rude behavior at My Dinh on November 19: "I would like to take this opportunity to apologize for my assistant's actions in the World Cup Qualifiers. We have a good relationship and have known each other for a long time. I respect him because he is a good coach. I hope he will be successful with Vietnamese football."

Responding to the statement "SEA Games should only be for amateur players with a schedule that affects their health", Mr. Nishino said: "As I said, we will compete as best we can and will not give any explanation. I also want to protect my players, want them to have a good environment to compete".

Coach Akira Nishino continued to express his dissatisfaction with the organization of the host country, the Philippines. "As I said, yesterday Timor-Leste waited outside the airport for hours, and we had to practice on the street. Because the travel time to the training ground took more than 2 hours and the return time was too long. Therefore, our team leader had to change the plan like that. The organizing committee can review its work for the teams."

Coach Akira Nishino apologizes to coach Park Hang-seo. Photo: Khanh Tran

At the press conference, after the coaches answered one question, Mr. Nishino answered two questions. After that, the organizers ended the press conference for Group B. However, Mr. Park took the microphone and wanted to say something. He said: "We are busy coaches. We cannot arrange time to come here just to answer one question and take a photo. Please give us more time."

After the press conference ended, Coach Park Hang-seo immediately returned to prepare for the training session taking place at 4:00 p.m. Group B of the Vietnam U22 team is considered a tough group because it has 6 teams: Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, in addition to Brunei, Singapore and Laos.

Assistant Le Huy Khoa and 'reveals' about coach Park Hang-seo

(Baonghean) - Originally from Dien Cat commune (Dien Chau), currently living in Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. Le Huy Khoa officially became a language assistant for coach Park Hang-seo since the end of 2017. After the match against UAE and Thailand in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, Nghe An Newspaper reporters had a conversation to hear his thoughts about this rather special job.