Vietnam - Laos match schedule today: Re-enacting victory, 'controversy' before G-hour

Vietnam wants to score many goals, Laos wants to create surprises

On December 9, 2024, the Vietnamese team opened the AFF Cup 2024 campaign with a 4-1 victory in Laos. It was a match in which coach Kim Sang-sik's players struggled to start and had to wait until the second half to penetrate the opponent's crowded defense. It would not be redundant to recall this unforgettable situation, when the Vietnamese team suddenly changed its state quickly with a long pass from center-back Bui Tien Dung, allowing Hai Long to rush up and volley into the opponent's net. The goal that broke the deadlock completely changed the match, before Tien Linh, Van Toan and Van Vi all scored within 20 minutes.

This rematch brought a lot of emotions to coach Kim Sang-sik, as he said in the press conference before the match yesterday: "The Vietnamese team has made the best and most serious preparations to welcome the Lao team - an opponent with many changes in personnel compared to the AFF Cup. No opponent is weaker than Vietnam. The Vietnamese team cannot be subjective, even for just 1 second. Vietnam will win and even try to win resoundingly, hoping to score many goals right from the first half to give to the fans. The Lao team has changed in personnel with 3 naturalized players of Lao origin. They are stronger than before but Vietnam will defeat them".

Tien Linh (middle) has returned to training with the Vietnamese team.

PHOTO: NGOC LINH

As for Mr. Kim's compatriot, Lao national team coach Ha Hyeok-jun, he asserted: "We have carefully calculated the playing style of the Lao team when playing away. We will have to have a new way of operating, from tactics to personnel. The Lao team is ready for the Asian Cup qualifiers, where the first opponent we want to overcome is the host Vietnam or at least earn 1 point. I don't care much about the friendly loss to Sri Lanka on March 20, although I was quite shocked after the defeat. But that was also a test match. Laos' main goal is to create a surprise for Vietnam. Laos will prove to the Vietnamese team that we are not easy to defeat."

Showing the position of Southeast Asian champion

VN does not have Van Toan like in the AFF Cup, so what is noteworthy about Laos' personnel? The away team has 3 new players, 3 Lao players, currently playing in Europe and the US, including central defender Victor Ngovinassack (playing for Is-Selongey Football Club, France), midfielder Roman Angot (SV Linx Club, Germany) and striker Theo Klein (Omaha Mavericks Club, USA). The dangerous spearhead of the Laos team is still captain striker Bounphachan Bounkong - the author of the goal in the match where Laos lost to Vietnam with a score of 1-4 at the AFF Cup 2024. Laos also has young midfielder Damoth Thongkhamsavath, who has just joined Thanh Hoa Club in the V-League.

Coach Kim Sang-sik wants the Vietnamese team to win and win in a way that is appropriate to the position of the reigning Southeast Asian football champion. A champion must demonstrate comprehensive strength, not depending on any individual. Mr. Kim revealed the good news when the team is in good physical condition and in good spirit. Striker Nguyen Tien Linh has returned to training after showing signs of being overloaded after playing more than 50 matches since last year. According to Mr. Kim, the 2024 Vietnamese Golden Ball will be on the field from the start and, together with his teammates, will try to put pressure on the "double-decker bus" named Laos.

Commentator Ngo Quang Tung commented: "We are playing at home and if we do well mentally, the Vietnamese team will not be under pressure and will be able to play perfectly and effectively. If we win convincingly, it will be better, but the most important thing is to win. The big score in the confrontation at the AFF Cup 2024 a few months ago will also create a positive psychological factor. Basically, the Vietnamese team is at a higher level than the Lao team, so I think 3 full points is not too difficult a task for coach Kim Sang-sik and his team."

When Tien Linh starts, the two winger positions will be considered between Tuan Hai, Hai Long, Quang Hai, Vi Hao. The beautiful goal against Laos at the AFF Cup and Cambodia will bring an advantage to Hai Long - a player who is very much loved by coach Kim Sang-sik thanks to his ability to intelligently penetrate the opponent's armpits.

Mr. Kim will maintain the familiar defense with goalkeeper Dinh Trieu, central defenders Thanh Chung, Tien Dung, Duy Manh and defenders Van Vi and Van Thanh on both wings. The "all-rounder" midfielder duo Hoang Duc and Ngoc Tan will control the midfield together. Notably, in the AFF Cup encounter, the Lao team collapsed after the 70th minute due to lack of energy. Mr. Kim will outline a reasonable strategy for the Vietnamese team to overwhelm their opponents and keep all 3 points.

Thanhnien.vn

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/lich-thi-dau-viet-nam-lao-hom-nay-tai-hien-chien-thang-tranh-cai-truoc-gio-g-185250324221143086.htm