Comments on Vietnam team vs Thailand: Lifting the cup on Thai soil

The Vietnamese team did everything to defeat Thailand in the second leg of the 2024 ASEAN Cup (AFF Cup) final, lifting the championship trophy right at Rajamangala (Bangkok).
When Thailand lost confidence

Before the second leg of the ASEAN Cup final, coach Masatada Ishii revealed that Thailand was preparing a scenario for a penalty shootout with Vietnam. The Japanese strategist was probably not confident in his ability to defeat his opponent by 2 goals to win the championship.

Coach Masatada Ishii's team understands that the more they attack, the easier it is to lose when the Vietnamese team plays extremely good counter-attacking defense, and is really dangerous because of Nguyen Xuan Son.

In fact, compared to the first leg, the Thai team regained some advantages such as home field and weather. With the support of 50,000 spectators, the team from the Land of the Golden Temple had more motivation to compete.

Thailand could not stop Xuan Son in the first leg. Photo: SN

However, coach Masatada's team is at a big disadvantage in terms of personnel. In addition to striker Teerasak, who is out for the rest of the tournament, Akarapong Pumwisat also suffered a serious injury in the first leg.

But what coach Masatada Ishii is most worried about is that Thailand has no plan to block Nguyen Xuan Son. Before the first leg, this coach confidently declared that Xuan Son was "turned off", but the striker from Nam Dinh Steel still shined with a double to help the Vietnamese team win 2-1.

Only when they solve the Nguyen Xuan Son problem, will Thailand have any hope of winning. But when the home team focuses too much on the 27-year-old striker, they can still accept defeat because the Vietnamese team always has a second or third option to solve the match.

Defeat Thailand, lift the championship cup

In theory, Vietnam only needs a draw to win the championship. Compared to the first leg, the formation of the “Golden Star Warriors” can be arranged lower, playing tightly and safely.

But coach Kim Sang Sik's team is very confident of defeating Thailand once again, right at Rajamangala Stadium. The Vietnamese team knows what to do to make their opponents fall into their "trap".

Vietnam team has many options for the return match. Photo: SN

Compared to Thailand, coach Kim Sang Sik has many options in terms of personnel, because almost any player he uses plays well at this year's ASEAN Cup.

In the wooden area, Dinh Trieu is almost certainly the main goalkeeper, although Nguyen Filip is a classy goalkeeper and is very eager to show off.

The three central defenders of the Vietnamese national team are familiar faces: Duy Manh, Thanh Chung, Bui Tien Dung. On both wings, coach Kim Sang Sik can use Van Thanh and Xuan Manh to confront the experienced players of Thailand. In the first leg, Van Thanh made his mark with his ability to attack and defend, contributing an assist in Xuan Son's opening goal.

In midfield, Hoang Duc and Ngoc Tan are sure to have their places, while Quang Hai could start after his excellent performance in the first leg. In the forward line, Nguyen Xuan Son continues to be tasked with scoring goals, playing behind him could be Ngoc Quang or Hai Long.

Vietnam team determined to lift the championship trophy in Thailand. Photo: SN

In general, Coach Kim has plenty of personnel options, the problem is how the Vietnamese team will operate the game, how effective it will be under great pressure at Rajamangala Stadium. Not only must they be well prepared professionally, the mentality of the "Golden Star Warriors" must also be really comfortable.

At home in the first leg, the Vietnamese team defeated Thailand after 27 years. And away in the second leg, coach Kim Sang Sik's team is very confident to continue to make the Thais regret, to lift the championship cup, and return to the number 1 position in the region.

Expected lineup of Vietnam team : Dinh Trieu, Tien Dung, Thanh Chung, Duy Manh, Van Thanh, Xuan Manh, Hoang Duc, Ngoc Tan, Quang Hai, Ngoc Quang, Xuan Son

Vietnamnet.vn

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/nhan-dinh-tuyen-viet-nam-dau-voi-thai-lan-20h-ngay-5-1-2360099.html