The Vietnamese national team trains ahead of the friendly match against Thailand on Tuesday. Photo baonghean.vn

Football

HÀ NỘI  Coach Kim Sang-sik of the Vietnamese national team is looking forward to the match against Thailand on Tuesday, stressing that despite its friendly status, the match is crucial, and he wants his players to secure a win.

The South Korean coach pointed out that Việt Nam and Thailand have a long-standing rivalry, making this encounter particularly significant. He expressed hopes that fans will rally behind the team.

“In the final of the AFF Cup 2022, we lost to Thailand. A victory in this match would boost our morale as we prepare for the ASEAN Cup 2024,” Kim said.

This match in the LPBank Cup 2024 international friendly tournament will be the first time coach Kim leads the Vietnamese team against Thailand. He and his coaching staff have thoroughly analysed their opponents.

“Thailand has brought many talented young players to this tournament. Similarly, we have young talents like Hai Long and Vĩ Hào, who represent the future of Vietnamese football. Their presence will foster healthy competition within our squad, which is essential for growth,” Kim explained.

Veteran midfielder Đỗ Hùng Dũng, who tasted defeat against Thailand in the AFF Cup, is eager for a rematch.

“Thailand features new players we haven’t encountered before. However, they also have the advantage of a head coach with extensive experience in the Thai League and in leading the national team at the ASIAN Cup,” Dũng noted.

Dũng also reflected on the evolution of the Vietnamese team under coach Kim.

“We are in the process of refining our playing style. The key for us is to focus on our own development before worrying about our rivals,” he said.

Thai coach Masatada Ishii views the Vietnamese team as a strong contender with several skilled attackers.

“We have analysed Việt Nam’s performances in the World Cup qualifiers and their recent match against Russia. I can see that they possess many technically gifted players who are still evolving, making them a dangerous opponent," he said.

Following the cancellation of their match with Russia due to the just ended Yagi storm, Ishii emphasised the importance of preparation.

“We’ve had extra time to practice, and my focus is on how we prepare for Việt Nam. I believe our team are ready for the challenge,” Ishii said. VNS