Vietnam’s national team will face the Philippines at 8 PM on December 18 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila in their fourth Group B match of the Asean Cup 2024. Coach Kim Sang Sik’s squad currently leads the group with a perfect record of two wins, collecting 6 points. Meanwhile, the Philippines sits third in the standings with 2 points from two draws.
A victory for Vietnam tomorrow will secure their place in the semi-finals with one match to spare, ensuring the top spot in Group B. Addressing the media at the pre-match press conference, Coach Kim highlighted the team’s determination to achieve this target.
“We are determined and fully prepared. Although the schedule has been tough, we remain undefeated, and tomorrow’s match is an opportunity to confirm our place in the semi-finals early,” said Coach Kim.
Vietnam enters the match with an impressive record against the Philippines, having won their last five encounters. Over those games, Vietnam scored 12 goals while conceding just 5. Notably, the Golden Star Warriors emerged victorious in their two most recent visits to the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
However, the artificial pitch at Rizal Memorial poses a unique challenge. Coach Kim acknowledged this factor but expressed confidence in his players’ ability to adapt.
“Some of our players have experience playing on this surface. During our training camp in Korea, we also practiced on artificial grass, and the coaching staff has prepared the team accordingly. I am confident we will perform well,” Kim said.
Coach Kim also reflected on Vietnam’s narrow 3-2 victory over the Philippines in June 2024, his first match in charge of the national team. Despite the difficulties faced in that encounter, Kim believes the team is now better prepared.
“That win was tough but crucial, as it built confidence and allowed us to develop our strategies. Six months ago, we only had one month to prepare, but this time, we have had more time and better conditions. While both teams have made changes, our goal remains the same – to win,” he stated.
The Vietnamese coach admitted that his unfamiliarity with the Philippines in their previous meeting caused some difficulties but assured that the team has learned valuable lessons.
“In our last encounter, I didn’t know much about the Philippines, and it caused us some trouble. Now, we are more prepared, though playing on artificial turf is a new challenge. The Philippines is a strong team, and we must fight hard to achieve our goal,” Kim added.
Vietnam comes into this match with momentum, following a crucial 1-0 victory over Indonesia. Coach Kim emphasized the importance of that win in strengthening the team’s confidence.
“That hard-fought win has strengthened our confidence. We are ready for tomorrow’s challenge and determined to deliver a strong performance,” he concluded.
Vietnam is now on the brink of advancing to the semi-finals of the Asean Cup 2024 and will look to seal their progress with a win against the Philippines.
Leave a Reply