In the pre-match press conference, coach Tom Saintfiet shared his thoughts on the upcoming match against Vietnam.
The Philippine head coach greeted everyone and acknowledged the strength of the Vietnamese team. “We are here to face Vietnam, a very strong team. This is a challenge for us. Currently, Vietnam has a new head coach, so it’s difficult to gauge their strength. We know it will be very tough to play against Vietnam, but we will try our best to win,” Saintfiet stated.
When asked about his knowledge of Kim Sang-sik and the Vietnamese team, Saintfiet revealed that they had thoroughly studied Vietnam through numerous video analyses. “We know the quality of the Vietnamese team. They have many young, talented players, as well as experienced ones. They are a strong team in Southeast Asia,” he said.
The Belgian coach admitted uncertainty about the tactical approach that Kim Sang-sik would employ. Reflecting on their previous encounter, where the Philippines lost to Vietnam, Saintfiet acknowledged that they had prepared well for the upcoming match. “I don’t know what playing style coach Kim Sang-sik will implement. In the previous match, we lost, but we have prepared well. We are in good spirits and hope that the Philippines will achieve the desired result,” he added.
Addressing his extensive experience of managing 12 teams over 20 years compared to Kim Sang-sik’s first stint as a national team coach, Saintfiet said, “I have many years of experience leading national teams, but I don’t think that gives me an advantage over Kim Sang-sik. Although this is his first time leading a national team, he has achieved good results at the club level. I am very confident in my team. Tomorrow’s match is not a contest between coaches but a battle between two national teams.”
With the match set to take place at My Dinh Stadium, both teams are gearing up for what promises to be an intense encounter. The Philippines, currently at the bottom of Group F with one point, face an uphill battle against a Vietnam team looking to secure a crucial win. The game also marks the debut of new head coach Kim Sang-sik, who is expected to bring new energy and strategies to the Vietnamese squad.
Vietnam, currently third in Group F with three points, still has a chance to advance if they win their remaining matches and other results go their way. The home advantage and the support of passionate Vietnamese fans could play a significant role in their quest for victory. The stage is set for an exciting and challenging match as both teams vie for a critical win in their World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign.
Leave a Reply