As Thailand prepares to face Vietnam in a highly anticipated friendly on the evening of September 10, coach Masatada Ishii believes his team has what it takes to make things difficult for their regional rivals. The match, scheduled for 8 PM, marks the second international friendly for Vietnam this month, while it will be Thailand’s first fixture during the FIFA Days of September.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Ishii shared his thoughts on the upcoming encounter: “Since we were unable to play against Russia, Thailand has had extra time to prepare for this match against Vietnam. The entire team has been training hard and is ready for tomorrow’s game.”
Thailand enters the match as the reigning champion of the AFF Cup, having secured the Southeast Asian title in both 2021 and 2022. However, despite their regional dominance, coach Ishii’s side was unable to progress past the second round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Thailand finished third in their group behind South Korea and China, narrowly missing out due to a head-to-head goal difference against China, despite being level on points and overall goal difference.
Both Vietnam and Thailand are using these friendly matches as part of their preparations for the AFF Cup 2024, where they are seen as the top contenders for the title. As the two most dominant teams in Southeast Asia, this friendly match carries significant importance, as it will set the tone for their future encounters in the tournament later this year.
“Since we didn’t play against Russia, we’ve focused solely on training in recent days to improve our tactics and techniques. The entire team is fully concentrated on the upcoming match against Vietnam,” said Ishii. His cautious optimism reflects his respect for the Vietnamese side, despite Thailand’s unbeaten record in their last six matches against Vietnam, which includes four wins and two draws. In those encounters, Thailand scored five goals and conceded only two.
Despite this strong record, coach Ishii remains careful in his approach. “We have analyzed Vietnam’s performances in their World Cup qualifiers and friendlies. They have made tactical progress and possess a variety of attacking strategies. Vietnam has technically skilled players, but we’ve studied their play and have prepared ways to counter their tactics,” the Japanese coach explained.
Thailand’s central defender Elias Dolah echoed his coach’s sentiments, acknowledging the disappointment of not being able to play against Russia but expressing excitement for the upcoming match against Vietnam. “My teammates and I were a bit disappointed that we couldn’t play against Russia, as they are a strong opponent. However, the Vietnam-Thailand matchup is something all of Southeast Asia is looking forward to. I hope Thailand will come out on top. We’ve done our analysis and have a plan to handle Vietnam’s style of play. The whole team is focused and ready to follow our coach’s guidance to come up with the best strategy,” Dolah said.
Thailand’s recent dominance over Vietnam has given them confidence, but Ishii’s remarks show that they are taking nothing for granted. Both teams have their sights set on the AFF Cup 2024, making this friendly more than just a warm-up – it’s a statement game for the two football powerhouses of Southeast Asia.
As the match approaches, fans from both nations and across the region are eagerly awaiting the clash. For Vietnam, it’s a chance to avenge their recent losses to Thailand and build momentum for the end of the year, while Thailand looks to extend their winning streak and reinforce their status as the region’s best team.
With both sides bringing top talent and careful tactical planning into the match, the stage is set for an exciting encounter at My Dinh Stadium.
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