Messi talks about difficult times at PSG; Coach Park Hang Seo unexpectedly encounters 'accident' on the training ground

Messi talks about difficult times at PSG

"I feel good, different from last season and I knew it would happen like this," Messi told the newspaper.World Deportivoafter scoring twice to help Argentina win 3-0 in a friendly against Honduras on the evening of September 23. "Last season, as I said, I went through a bad time and never found myself again."

Messi celebrates scoring against Honduras, during a friendly match at Hard Rock Stadium in Florida. Photo:AFP

In the summer of 2021, Messi ended his 20-year association with Barca to join PSG as a free agent. Covid-19, injuries and a new environment limited his contributions, with only 6 goals and 14 assists in all competitions. The Argentine star could not even play 10 consecutive matches for PSG.

This season, Messi has exploded with 6 goals and 8 assists in 11 matches for PSG in all competitions. Messi's brilliant form has also helped the 2019 Copa America champions extend their unbeaten streak to 34 matches, including 23 wins and 11 draws. Argentina's most recent defeat was against Brazil in the Copa America semi-finals in July 2019. Argentina's current record is only behind Brazil (35 matches, 1993-1996), Spain (35 matches, 2007-2009) and Italy (37 matches, 2018-2021).

Messi said that at present he and his teammates have the same ambition and enthusiasm, but also have to be calm to move forward step by step. The 34-year-old striker added: "Everyone feels great. We know how to take care of ourselves, what to do and how to prepare for the World Cup in the best way. We have to play a lot in October and have little time to rest. If we keep going out and thinking about the World Cup, things could end up being worse."

Coach Park Hang Seo unexpectedly encountered an "accident" on the training ground

Specifically, during the warm-up of a group of players including most of the main players of the Vietnamese team, Coach Park Hang Seo went into the middle to observe, from there directly adjusting the movements of his students. Unfortunately for Coach Park, striker Nham Manh Dung swung his arm and hit his coach in the face.

Immediately, Coach Park Hang Seo rolled onto the field, holding his face in obvious pain and shouting for the team doctor to come in and take care of him. Nham Manh Dung was also startled but immediately bent down to help his coach stand up.

Coach Park Hang Seo rolled onto the field, holding his face in obvious pain and shouting for the team doctor to come onto the field to take care of him. Photo: TTVH

Of course, Coach Park Hang Seo’s reaction to Nham Manh Dung’s accidental elbow was not too serious. Coach Park Hang Seo also did not let the pause last too long, affecting his players’ warm-up.

At the end of the warm-up, Coach Park Hang Seo divided the squad for the players to compete, in which the main squad that is likely to start in the match against India includes Nguyen Manh, Ho Tan Tai, Duy Manh, Dinh Trong, Que Ngoc Hai, Van Hau, Hung Dung, Quang Hai, Van Duc, Cong Phuong, Tien Linh.

On the opposite side of the field, goalkeeper Van Toan plays with young players and reserves. Besides Xuan Truong, who has not recovered from COVID-19, Van Thanh has to practice separately.

Thailand team won third place in King's Cup

Thailand opened the scoring through Chanarong in the 22nd minute. The Trinidad & Tobago goalkeeper mistimed the ball and it fell to Chanarong. The Thai player then simply finished into an empty net.

At the end of the first half, Thailand held the ball for 61% of the time and had 9 shots. The number of passes Thailand created in the first 45 minutes was 299. Trinidad & Tobago's number was 180. All of which more or less showed the dominance of the Thais over the away team.

However, in the second half, Trinidad & Tobago still found an equalizer in the 61st minute. From a corner kick by Trinidad & Tobago, Kareem Moses ran across the field and headed the ball to the far corner, leaving goalkeeper Kittipong Phuthawchueak standing still.

Supachok helps Thailand beat Trinidad & Tobago.

However, that was the only highlight the visitors could create. Then 11 minutes later, Thailand once again took the lead. Supachok handled the ball skillfully and then curled a beautiful shot past the Trinidad & Tobago goalkeeper.

In the following minutes, Thailand still had more possession of the ball. The away team did not have much possession of the ball so they could not create more situations to threaten Thailand's goal. In the end, Thailand won 2-1 and finished in 3rd place at the King's Cup 2022.