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 stated: “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 from the Golden Temple country changed his opinion: “The Vietnamese team’s confidence could make them careless, and the Thai team could then take advantage of the opportunity in attack, and easily carry out their plans.”
Thai people's anxiety
Not only “Thai Zico” but also coach A. Nishino has had a significant change in his view of his opponent. Right at the contract signing ceremony with the Football Association of Thailand, he said: “I only need 10 days to defeat Vietnam, regaining the number 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 included 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, and only cared 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 against 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 player 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 a substitute.
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| Head-to-head results of the two teams before the 2020 World Cup qualifiers began. Photo: FAT. |
Meanwhile, 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 are very worried. This is the first time the Thai team has come to Hanoi and the Thai people no longer have the confidence they had before!
