Head coach Park Hang-seo: “The first match is always difficult. The Vietnamese players are ready for the tournament.”
Speaking at a press conference before the opening match of Group B in the AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2022, head coach Park Hang-seo said that the Vietnam team had prepared all necessary things for the tournament. The players are also ready for the opening match against Laos.
21/12/2022 09:13:41
Head coach Park Hang-seo said: “We are still doing the work that needs to be done in the preparation work. It’s always been like that and nothing special. For the past 5 years, the playing-style as well as the squad has been stable. The vast majority of players have been with me for that period. They are also ready.”
According to head coach Park Hang-seo, in any tournament, the first match is always a tough one. “We also know that Agentina also lost their first match at the World Cup,” said Mr. Park.
Talking about Phan Van Duc’s recovery from Covid-19 and going to Laos for the match, head coach Park Hang-seo said: “This is good news. Van Duc has good attacking skill and has proven it over the years. The team needs players like him to strengthen the attack. And I also hope Van Duc will have a good tournament this time,” he said.
Regarding the case of Bui Tien Dung, although this midfielder is still in Hanoi, coach Park confirmed that he will be named in the list of 23 official players. “We are closely monitoring, daily rapid testing and PCR every three days for Dung. This morning, two of his tests carried out by two different labs were negative. When the team returns to Hanoi, Dung can practice with the team,” said coach Park Hang-seo.
According to the regulations of the tournament, teams can still replace up to 10 players in case of Covid-19. If nothing changes, the official list of 23 players of Vietnam Team will be decided tomorrow.
When asked about the pressure in the last tournament as the head coach of Vietnam, head coach Park Hang-seo said: “From the first day I came to Vietnam, I always determined to join in every tournament with same mentality and enthusiasm. I don’t want people to use the word ‘Head coach Park’s last tournament with the Vietnam team’ at this year’s AFF Cup. I also don’t tell the players to be like this just because this is my last competition. Again, I hope people don’t mention the word ‘last tournament’,” he emphasized.
Evaluating Laos national team, coach Park commented: “Laos has just appointed a German coach, played four matches – two in September and two in December. I only watched their last two matches. Most of these players from Laos are at the age of U23, preparing for next year’s SEA Games. I think they are very strong mentally, and the coach seems to want Laos to strengthen the ability to control the ball.”
Attending the press conference, defender Duy Manh said: “The whole team is ready to enter the tournament. Whoever is allowed to play on the ground will have to focus on completing as the plan of coaching assistants. Laos has many outstanding players, we have to research to have a good preparation. The whole team will have to promote our abilities, compete for the spirit of the Vietnamese.
On the other hand, head coach Michael Weiss of Laos team commented: “Vietnam is a team that has a big chance to win the match and to win the prize. Coach Park did a great job. However, we will try to show what we have and the strength of the team. Laos team will fight and experience for the future. We will not let Vietnam have an easy match tomorrow.”
Coach Michael Weiss said he has researched and analyzed carefully about Vietnam Team. The German coach emphasized: “We do not sit at home and sleep. We watched the matches, analyzed the Vietnam team. Laos will play defensively and find a way to counterattack. We’ve been working for the past two months, we have a mix of young and senior players. We have to find the right way to prepare for the game.”
Team captain Soukaphone Vongchiengkham of Laos also expressed confidence: “Vietnam is considered stronger, but we will have to adapt and prepare well. We have a good coach and hope to get a good result against Vietnam in tomorrow’s match.”
The match between Laos and Vietnam will take place at 19:30 on December 21, 2022 at Laos National Stadium. At the cordination meeting, host team registered red – red – red. This means that Vietnam Team will play in white – white – white.
