Coach Kim Sang Sik: "Vietnam team cannot be subjective in the second leg"

(Dan Tri) – The Vietnamese team defeated Singapore 2-0 at Jalan Besar Stadium in the first leg of the AFF Cup 2024 semi-finals on the evening of December 26. Speaking after the match, coach Kim Sang Sik remained cautious ahead of the second leg on December 29.

Appearing at the press conference, Coach Kim Sang Sik said: “The Vietnamese team has not adapted to both the weather and the grass on the field. The whole team really struggled in the first half. In the second half, with some adjustments in personnel and tactics, we played better, especially in the final moments of the match.

Thanks to the players’ efforts and concentration until the end, the Vietnamese team won. But despite winning 2-0 away, we still have to be careful when preparing for the return leg at home.”

HLV Kim Sang Sik: Tuyển Việt Nam không thể chủ quan ở lượt về - 1 — Coach Kim Sang Sik received a yellow card for his reaction in the second half (Photo: Tuan Bao).

Regarding the referee's decisions in this match, coach Kim Sang Sik refused to comment: "I am not the one who has the right to make judgments, so there is not much to say about the referee.

I am very sorry about Nguyen Xuan Son's disallowed goal, but I think we need to respect the referee's decision. Even though the referee's decisions were not as expected, the players still kept their determination to the end to get the best result."

The Korean strategist refused to mention the situation where the referee did not award Singapore a penalty after a collision with Tan Tai in the 80th minute: “I always accept and respect the referee’s decisions. Both teams gave their best, that was the aspect of the match.

Both teams had difficulties in this match. Now the Vietnamese team is preparing for the return match at home. No matter what problems there are, I will prepare carefully, the players will try not to be careless in the rematch at Viet Tri stadium."

“In this match, the Vietnamese team did not concede any goals. Therefore, I am satisfied with the defense. Singapore is very strong in counter-attacking and playing long balls, we will try to stop the opponent and prepare for the next matches.

Goalkeeper Dinh Trieu has been improving his form and making no mistakes. Despite making a mistake in the first match, I think he played well today. Thank you to goalkeeper coach Lee Woon Jae for working well with the goalkeepers,” coach Kim Sang Sik praised goalkeeper Dinh Trieu for his miraculous save against the Singapore striker in the second half.

HLV Kim Sang Sik: Tuyển Việt Nam không thể chủ quan ở lượt về - 2 — Xuan Son's goal was denied in the 90th minute after the referee checked VAR technology (Photo: Tuan Bao).

Captain Do Duy Manh also attended the press conference after the match and he shared: “Today we followed the tactics. The Vietnamese team played resiliently, there were times when we encountered many difficulties but the whole team knew how to overcome them.

For me, this is a worthy victory for the Vietnamese team. Regarding the situation in the 80th minute, I told the referee to be calm with his decision, check the VAR technology and make a fair choice."

Duy Manh also revealed Xuan Son's reaction after his goal was denied in the 90th minute: "Xuan Son played with determination and determination from the beginning of the match. He told me that the goal was completely legal, the ball touched his chest and not his hand. It was a beautiful goal, but after checking the VAR technology, the referee made an unfortunate decision."

Facing Singapore at Jalan Besar Stadium, the Vietnamese team faced many difficulties during most of the first half. The pressure from the home team made the Vietnamese defense confused at times and coach Kim Sang Sik's team almost conceded a goal.

The second half was balanced, with Singapore dominating possession at times with more than 60%. The highlight of the match came in the 89th minute when Nguyen Xuan Son scored against Singapore, but after checking VAR technology, the Korean referee did not recognize the goal.

It seemed like the two teams would end the match in a draw, but in the 90+8 minute, the Singapore defender and goalkeeper did not coordinate well and to prevent Xuan Son from scoring, Hamzah held the ball. The Vietnamese team was awarded a penalty and Tien Linh defeated goalkeeper Mahbud, opening the score.

Exactly two minutes later, from a corner kick, Xuan Son scored from close range while Singapore's defense was unable to react, sealing a 2-0 victory for the Vietnamese team. Coach Kim Sang Sik and his team have many advantages ahead of the second leg of the semi-final on December 29 at Viet Tri Stadium (Phu Tho).