Coach Kim Sang Sik: “Although we won 2-0, we still need to be cautious for the return leg”
In the post-match press conference, Coach Kim Sang Sik praised the tireless efforts of his players to secure a 2-0 victory over Singapore in the first leg of the 2024 AFF Championship semifinals. The South Korean coach emphasized that the Vietnam national team must remain extremely cautious for the return leg, which will take place on December 29 at the Viet Tri Stadium.
27/12/2024 10:31:38
Coach Kim Sang Sik said: “My players have not yet adapted to both the weather and the pitch conditions. The team really struggled in the first half. In the second half, with some personnel and tactical adjustments, we played better, especially towards the end of the match. Combined with the effort and focus of the players until the final whistle, we secured the win. However, despite the 2-0 victory, we must remain cautious as we prepare for the return leg.”
The South Korean coach expressed his satisfaction with the performance of the defense and goalkeeper Đình Triệu. “I am pleased with the defense for not conceding any goals. Singapore is strong in counterattacks and long-ball play. We will continue to work hard to improve and prepare for the upcoming matches. As for goalkeeper Đình Triệu, he is continuously improving, kept a clean sheet, and made no mistakes. Although he made an error in the first match, I believe he did a great job today. Thanks to goalkeeper coach Lee Won Jae for working well with the goalkeepers,” Coach Kim Sang Sik said.
In the match against Singapore, the Vietnam national team could have taken the lead in the 84th minute with a stunning goal by Xuân Sơn, who controlled the ball with his chest, turned, and finished into the net. However, VAR intervened, stating that the ball had bounced off the ground and touched the upper arm near the shoulder of the Vietnamese striker. After more than five minutes of reviewing the slow-motion footage, the South Korean referee Kim Woo-sung ruled out the goal.
When asked about the situation, Coach Kim Sang Sik stated that he respects the referee’s decision: “I am not the one who has the authority to make judgments, so there is nothing much to say. Although we are disappointed with Son’s disallowed goal, I think we need to respect the referee’s decision. Regardless, the players still maintained their determination to the end to achieve a good result.”
Captain Đỗ Duy Mạnh attended the press conference as the Best Player of the Match. He shared: “Today, the whole team followed the game plan. The players played resiliently, facing many challenges at times, but we knew how to overcome them. The victory is well-deserved for the Vietnam national team.”
Duy Mạnh added: “The last time the Vietnam national team won the championship was in 2018, and it has been six years since then. We will continue to strive to play well in the second leg of the semifinals, and then work hard to achieve our goal. The remaining journey will not be easy and will require the whole team to stay fully focused. The team hopes that the fans will continue to support us, whether through television or by attending the match in person. We are determined to achieve our set goal.”
With the 2-0 victory in Singapore, the Vietnam national team has increased its chances of reaching the final. According to the tournament’s regulations, the away goals rule does not apply, which further strengthens the advantage for Coach Kim Sang Sik and his players in the return leg on the evening of December 29 at the Viet Tri Stadium.
