Vietnam play Thailand in AFF Cup final today: both sides expect win
VOV.VN - Hosts Vietnam will take on visitors Thailand in their first leg match of the ongoing AFF Cup 2020 final in Hanoi on January 13 evening, with both sides expecting a win to gain an advantage in the other match on January 16.
Park Hang-seo, head coach of the Vietnamese team, affirmed the team’s ultimate goal of defeating Thailand in the AFF Cup 2022 final to become champions and get revenge for their loss to the Thai two years ago.
At a press conference held in Hanoi on January 12, Park recalled that over the past five years Vietnam had only lost once against Thailand at AFF Cup 2020 and he was keen to get payback for the defeat in the final this year.
Park said he would not try to put pressure on the players, and his assistants were actively researching the Thai team and their tactics.
He even unveiled that he had contacted fellow Korean coach Kim Pan-gon of the Malaysian team to ask about Thailand as the two teams had met in the semi-final stage several days ago.
At the AFF Cup 2022 the Vietnamese team have scored a total of 14 goals and are yet to concede a goal, while Thailand have scored 16 goals and conceded three goals.
Park didn’t agree with the assessment that the Vietnamese team only defend well, but insisted that they are also capable of playing offensively.
The AFF Cup 2022 will be the last tournament before the 65-year-old Korean coach quits his job. He expressed determination at the prospect of winning the championship title and give it as a special gift to Vietnamese football fans who have supported him in recent times.
Captain Do Hung Dung confirmed that the experience of competing in previous major international tournaments will help the team to overcome the pressure and bring the trophy home in the final round.
Meanwhile, coach Alexandre Polking of the Thai national team, affirmed Thailand have set the target of scoring goals at My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi on January 13 evening.
According to the coach, Vietnamese footballers have physical strength, and are good at playing pressing and controlling the match well.
They have also defended well without conceding any goals so far, said Polking, adding the Vietnamese team have more advantages than the Thai as they get support from home fans, and enjoy an additional day off compared to the Thai.
Striker Tien Linh is the opposition player to watch out for, Pölking stressed.
Tien Linh, now second in the goal scoring list, is a goal hunter, but the Thai team have solutions to prevent him scoring, said Polking.
Vietnam are set to play Thailand in the first leg of the AFF Cup 2022 final on home turf at My Dinh National Stadium at 7:30 p.m. on January 13.
After the match, Park and his players will fly to Thailand for another final match at Thammasat Stadium at 7:30 p.m. on January 16.
