Vietnam’s national football team achieved a monumental 2-1 victory over Thailand in the first leg of the AFF Cup 2024 final, marking their first home win against their rivals in 27 years. Head coach Kim Sang-sik expressed immense satisfaction with the result, which he described as a testament to Vietnam’s resilience and strength.
Speaking to the media after the match, Coach Kim said, “Coach Park Hang-seo once emphasized that we should not fear Thailand, and with this victory, the team has proven its strength. I told the players that no mountain or challenge is insurmountable. Over the past 27 years, Vietnam has been unable to secure a home win against Thailand. Today, my players and I gave our all to bring joy to Vietnamese football fans.”
A Tactical Masterclass
Kim’s game plan, which emphasized energy and physicality, proved decisive against Thailand. “Before every match, I conduct a thorough analysis of the opponent and develop a tailored strategy. Winning is always my top priority,” Kim said. “Against Thailand, given their physicality and height advantage, I instructed Xuan Son to play with greater aggression. Not just him, but every player gave their all on the pitch.”
The coach highlighted Xuan Son’s contributions, calling him an indispensable part of the squad. “Xuan Son is an exceptional player. He played brilliantly today, but I believe he needs to work on maintaining composure in certain situations. I’m pleased to have him in the team and proud of his performance tonight,” Kim remarked.
Kim also praised the efforts of defender Doan Ngoc Tan, who delivered a stellar performance. “Ngoc Tan is a special player with unwavering determination and passion. In this match, he showed immense responsibility, successfully neutralizing several dangerous Thai attacks and inspiring his teammates. His contributions were invaluable, and I sincerely appreciate his dedication to the team.”
Focus Shifts to the Second Leg
While the victory gives Vietnam a crucial edge heading into the second leg at Rajamangala Stadium on January 5, Kim acknowledged room for improvement. “We could have won by a two-goal margin, but I am satisfied with the current result. The goal we conceded today serves as a valuable lesson, and we will learn from it to perform even better in the second leg,” Kim said.
Xuan Son Brushes Off Pre-Match Comments
Joining Coach Kim at the press conference, forward Xuan Son addressed comments made by Thailand’s center-back, who claimed not to know him before the match. The Nam Dinh striker responded diplomatically, saying, “I focus on delivering my best performance on the pitch to help my team win. I don’t pay attention to outside opinions or irrelevant matters.”
Xuan Son’s composed response reflects the team’s mindset heading into the decisive second leg. With confidence and determination, Vietnam will aim to build on their historic victory as they seek to lift the AFF Cup 2024 trophy.
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