The match between Vietnam and Laos will take place at 8:00 p.m. on December 9 at the Laos National Stadium. This is also the first match between the two teams in the largest regional tournament for national teams. In terms of strength and recent achievements, the Vietnam team is considered much better than Laos.
Notably, in 4 out of the last 5 AFF Cups, the Vietnamese team was in the same group as Laos and always won. In the 2018, 2021 and 2022 AFF Cups, the Vietnamese team met Laos away in the opening match. As a result, the "Golden Star Warriors" won 3-0 (in 2018), 2-0 (in 2021) and 3-0 (in 2022). Previously, in 2014, the Vietnamese team also won 3-0 against Laos in the second match of the group stage at My Dinh Stadium.
The Vietnamese team (in white) is rated much higher even though they have to play away against the Lao team.
Coach Ha Hyeok-jun commented: “The gap in class between the Vietnamese and Lao teams is quite large. Vietnam is considered to be higher, so we do not have any special tactics or weapons for the upcoming match. Laos’ specific goal is not to win or score many goals. Simply, the whole team’s goal is to try to bring the Vietnamese team as much difficulty as possible in the upcoming match. I also hope that the Lao players will learn many positive things after this match.”
Notably, in the list of 26 Lao players called up by coach Ha Hyeok-jun, more than half of the squad (15 players) are under the age of 23. Familiar names such as "Lao Messi" Soukaphone Vongchiengkham, Thongkhamsavath, Chanthalangsy or French-born player Billy Ketkeophomphone are all absent. Instead, young players such as 17-year-old midfielder Phousomboun Panyavong and striker Bounphachan Bounkong are given opportunities.
Coach Ha Hyeok-jun pointed out the difficulties that the Lao team faced: “I have been coaching the Lao team for 3 months now. However, we only have 20 to 30 days of training. There are only 8 teams in the Lao League, not many quality players and we have to watch many matches over and over again. Therefore, when I go to watch the matches, I see players aged 21 to 23 playing very well. That is why they are on the list of players for this year's tournament. Despite the difficulties, we still try to practice and help the players understand the wishes of the coaching staff. I want the players to achieve the best results in the near future."
Star Billy Ketkeophomphone (21) was not called up to the AFF Cup 2024.
"Mr. Kim Sang-sik is younger than me..."
At the AFF Cup 2024, coach Ha Hyeok-jun, along with coach Kim Sang-sik (Vietnam team) and coach Shin Tae-yong (Indonesia), are the three Korean captains present at the tournament. Mr. Ha Hyeok-jun hopes to help the Laos team play well, affirming the quality of coaches from Korea. At the same time, he also sent a special message to coach Kim Sang-sik.
“Mr. Park Hang-seo is the one who paved the way in Southeast Asia as a coach. After that, Mr. Shin Tae-yong went to Indonesia and the Malaysian team also had a period of time with coach Kim Pan-gon. I came to the Laos team thanks to that. I want everyone to know that Korean coaches are very good.
In the past, Coach Park Hang-seo was attached to and brought many successes, helping the Vietnamese team develop strongly. However, when he left, the Vietnamese team went down a bit. When Coach Kim Sang-sik arrived, this coach was doing his role well. He is helping Vietnamese football gradually develop again. Although Coach Kim Sang-sik is younger than me, I have great respect for him," Coach Ha Hyeok-jun said.
Coach Ha Hyeok-jun has great respect for coach Kim Sang-sik
When he learned that Nguyen Xuan Son would play for the Vietnamese national team at the 2024 AFF Cup, Ha Hyeok-jun expressed his surprise. The Korean coach admitted that the Lao national team was lucky not to face Xuan Son because according to FIFA regulations, Xuan Son can only play for the Vietnamese national team after December 20.
Xuan Son has joined the Vietnamese team and is ready for the AFF Cup 2024.
He said: “I don’t know Nguyen Xuan Son at all. However, with a record of 31 goals after 25 matches, it is really impressive. Luckily, we don’t have to face him. However, in the Vietnam team, I am still very impressed with the 3 players Quang Hai, Tien Linh and Tuan Hai. In addition, there are many other players but I can’t remember all their names. They are all stars and have different playing styles and characteristics. Therefore, the Vietnam team is a quality team.”
Asean Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2024 is broadcast live and in full on FPT Play, at: http://fptplay.vn
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/hlv-doi-tuyen-lao-bat-ngo-nhac-den-ca-ong-park-va-ong-kim-khong-nghi-se-thang-18524120614105138.htm
Comment (0)