Laos coach fears most Xuan Truong and Cong Phuong

Former Singapore national team player and coach Sundramoorthy is expected to help Lao football transform at the AFF Cup 2018. Photo:Lam Thoa.

- How do you rate your opponent Vietnam in the upcoming match?

The Vietnamese team has recently played friendly matches and practiced in private, so I don't have much information. However, I have to honestly say that Coach Park Hang-seo and his team are very strong opponents.

- The President of the Lao Football Federation said the team will draw or win against Vietnam. How do you rate the home team's chances of getting points?

I don't know who said what. My job is just to prepare the best for the upcoming match with the team, hoping for a good result. Vietnam is of course the team that is rated higher, has a better chance of winning, but you all know that in football anything can happen. The stronger team does not always win.

- Which player on the Vietnamese team do you rate the highest?

There was a Vietnamese player who played in Korea. I don't remember his name, wait until I check my phone. It was Xuan Truong. He played very well in the middle of the field, with many smart passes. Cong Phuong is also very dangerous. This striker has skillful technique, good dribbling, dangerous finishing and passing. Of course, the Vietnamese team still has a few more names to worry about.

- What is your favorite way to play?

I want my team to keep the ball, pass it quickly, and maintain a short distance. But every style of play has to be adapted to each opponent. If I play against a stronger team, of course defense is my priority.

- Lao fans have high expectations for “Lao Messi” Soukaphone Vongchiengkham. What do you think about this?

Vongchiengkham has good technique and high fighting spirit. He can make a difference in matches and will be a factor that helps Laos a lot when they meet Vietnam.

Mr. Sundramoorthy stood admiring the painting recording the moment of victory of Lao youth football at the headquarters of the Lao Football Federation on the afternoon of November 6. Photo:Lam Thoa.

- Laos believes that the home field is an advantage. But according to the Lao Football Federation, the number of Vietnamese fans buying tickets to watch the match is not less than the number of home fans. What do you think if Laos does not have the advantage from the stands?

It is good that many Vietnamese fans come to the stadium. The more fans there are, the better the match will be. Maybe, Lao fans will not be able to overwhelm Vietnamese fans. But we believe that playing at home is still better than playing in Vietnam or any other country. We are familiar with the climate and the stadium, that is an advantage.