As Vietnam prepares to face Thailand in the first leg of the AFF Cup 2024 final on January 2, head coach Kim Sang-sik likened the Thai team to a towering mountain that his squad must overcome. Speaking at the pre-match press conference, held on the eve of the highly anticipated match, Coach Kim emphasized Vietnam’s determination to secure a positive result.
“Thailand is like a great mountain for Vietnam,” Coach Kim said. “But I believe there is no mountain that cannot be conquered. We, the Vietnam national team, will give our all to achieve the best possible outcome.”
The AFF Cup final between Vietnam and Thailand is widely regarded as Southeast Asia’s equivalent of the East Asian derby between Japan and South Korea, further elevating its significance for fans across the region. Reflecting on his team’s journey, Kim noted, “In the semifinals, we overcame Singapore, a team coached by a Japanese manager. I hope this positive trend continues against Thailand, whose coach is also Japanese.”
Kim expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead Vietnam to the final, calling it both an honor and a heavy responsibility. “I have experience coaching in many finals, but this one holds special significance. I hope to bring joy to our fans at the start of the new year,” he said.
Preparation and Strategy
Vietnam enters the final with certain advantages, including a well-rested squad and home-field advantage, as Thailand recently endured a grueling 120-minute semifinal against the Philippines before traveling to Vietnam. Kim acknowledged this factor, saying, “Thailand has just played a long and exhausting match and had to travel here. That could work in our favor.”
Despite this edge, Kim stressed that past performances hold no bearing on the upcoming clash. “What has happened is in the past. Now, we are fully prepared. I have told my players that we have three goals for this final: to win, to win, and to win. That is what we are determined to achieve.”
When asked about the goalkeeping situation, Kim explained his decision to prioritize Dinh Trieu over Nguyen Filip. “We have two quality goalkeepers, but I believe Dinh Trieu has better communication skills. I’ve also consulted with goalkeeping coach Lee Won-jae to make this choice.”
A Thrilling Contest Awaits
The first-leg match between Vietnam and Thailand will kick off at 8:00 p.m. on January 2, 2025, at Viet Tri Stadium. Fans are eager to witness this high-stakes showdown, which will set the tone for the final leg and determine who claims the AFF Cup 2024 championship. For Coach Kim Sang-sik and his team, the focus remains clear: to bring the trophy home for Vietnam and make history in Southeast Asian football.
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