Hong Kong coach: 'We are under pressure against Vietnam'

Hai Phong coach Jorn Andersen admitted it would be difficult to win, hoping that facing a strong opponent like Vietnam would help Hong Kong gain more experience.

Coach Jorn Andersen speaks at a press conference before the Vietnam - Hong Kong friendly match. Photo: Lam Thoa

*Vietnam - Hong Kong: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 15.

"We came here with a lot of pressure because Vietnam is very strong," coach Jorn Andersen said at a press conference this afternoon in Hai Phong. The 60-year-old coach's opinion is based on the FIFA rankings, where Vietnam is ranked 95th, while Hong Kong is 145th.

Andersen also said he has been following the Vietnamese team for a long time. In 2016, he led the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to a 2-5 loss to Vietnam in a friendly match in Ho Chi Minh City under coach Nguyen Huu Thang. In 2019, he became coach of Incheon United and led Cong Phuong for about half a season.

"I am impressed with Quang Hai, and Cong Phuong was once my student," said coach Andersen. "I know Vietnam has a strong squad, made up of many good players. Last year, they reached the AFF Cup final."

The Norwegian-German coach was also impressed with Vietnam's success under coach Park Hang-seo, but now a new era must begin. He praised his colleague Philippe Troussier as a good coach with rich experience working in Europe, Africa and Asia.

The Hong Kong team arrived in Vietnam on the morning of June 13 and had their first training session at Cau Rao Stadium but was affected by heavy rain. Today they will practice at Lach Tray Stadium.

Coach Andersen said that Hong Kong's goal in this match is to gain experience for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Asia and the 2023 Asian Cup. But he declared that he did not want his team to defend, but to compete fiercely and attack even though he knew it would be difficult to win because of their limited skills.

Lam Thoa

Source link: https://vnexpress.net/hlv-hong-kong-chung-toi-chiu-ap-luc-truoc-viet-nam-4617504.html