For the first time, the Thai team 'lived in fear' when coming to Vietnam?
(Baonghean.vn) - Having to face host Vietnam in the journey to earn 10 points in the remaining 4 matches of the 2020 World Cup qualifiers has made the Thai people lose sleep and appetite. The Thai people are witnessing the Vietnamese team's continuous progress over the past 2 years at all levels and in all tournaments.
Last year, Kiatisuk confidently commented: "It will take 10 more years for the Vietnamese team to catch up with Thailand." But yesterday, in Thailand's Daily News, this football legend changed his opinion: "The Vietnamese team's confidence can make them careless, the Thai team can then take advantage of opportunities in attack, and will easily carry out their calculations."
Thai people's anxiety
Not only “Thai Zico” but also Coach A. Nishino has made a significant change in his view of his opponent. Right at the contract signing ceremony with the Thai Football Federation, he said: “I only need 10 days to defeat Vietnam, regaining the No. 1 position in Southeast Asia for Thailand”, but now he has to be much more cautious. The anxiety was clearly shown on the Japanese coach’s face after losing 2-1 to Malaysia.
Not only did Mr. A. Nishino send two assistants to watch the match between Vietnam and UAE, but when leading the team to Hanoi, the Thai team rented a private field to practice in private. Mr. A. Nishino was afraid that the training area arranged by VFF had Mr. Park's private villa, which could easily reveal their plans. This was something that had never happened before, even though they were playing away, Thai experts and media had never had to worry about it, they assumed that 3 points were already in their pockets, only caring about how many goals they would score.
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| The current playing style of the Vietnamese team focuses on building a system rather than depending on any one star. Photo: FAT |
At the 2019 King's Cup, Thailand lost to Vietnam with a score of 0-1. The last time Thailand met Vietnam on Thai soil, the two teams drew 0-0 in the 26th encounter. It is difficult to explain why "the wind has changed direction" when Mr. A. Nishino has 8 faces in the Thai team that defeated the Vietnamese team in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, which took place in 2015.
They are Kawin Thamsatchanan, Chatchai Budprom, Theerathon Bunmathan, Tristan Do, Tanaboon Kesarat, Sarach Yooyen, Chanathip Songkrasin, Teerasil Dangda. Of which, Chanathip Songkrasin and Theerathon Bunmathan are playing in Japan while goalkeeper Kawin Thamsatchanan is playing in Belgium.
There is a very different Vietnam team.
Meanwhile, with the arrival of Mr. Park and the progress in youth training, the Vietnamese team is rapidly rejuvenating. Currently, the list of the Vietnamese team participating in the match with Thailand on November 19th, there is no player who has ever scored against Thailand in official tournaments at the national team level.
The strikers who scored against Thailand in recent matches between the two sides, including Le Cong Vinh and Nguyen Vu Phong (who scored in the 2008 AFF Cup final), have all retired. Only veteran Anh Duc was the last to score against the Golden Temple team, at the King's Cup in June, but this was simply a friendly tournament and Anh Duc is now just sitting on the bench.
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| Head-to-head results of the two teams before the 2020 World Cup qualifiers began. Photo: FAT. |
Meanwhile, the three young Thai players who just played at My Dinh earlier this year, Supachai Jaided, Suphanat Mueanta and Supachok Sarachat, must still remember the 0-4 loss of Thailand U23 to Vietnam U23 at this stadium.
Having to earn 10 points in 4 matches (including 2 away matches against Vietnam and UAE) has made Mr. A.Nishino and Thai fans were very worried. This was the first time the Thai team had come to Hanoi and the Thais no longer had the confidence they had before!
