Thailand determined to "lock" Xuan Son Before the first leg of the ASEAN Cup final, the Thai team went through two tense and exhausting semi-final matches with the Philippines. Although they won the ticket to the next round, coach Masatada Ishii's team paid a heavy price. Many Thai players suffered injuries of varying degrees, including striker Teerasak Poeiphima who had to leave the tournament due to a torn muscle. More worrying for the Golden Temple team, key striker Suphanat had a fever and had to be hospitalized. This player even only arrived in Vietnam on the afternoon of January 1. Although he trained with his teammates, he still left open the possibility of playing in the first leg of the final. Coach Masatada Ishii revealed that the Thai team could lose many positions in the match with the Vietnamese team, but once they reach the final, the goal is always to win.

Thailand only had one training session before the match with Vietnam. Photo: SN

Despite the claim, this could be the toughest match for the Golden Temple team in this year's tournament. Compared to the Philippines, who made Thailand struggle to win the semi-finals, the "Golden Star Warriors" are considered to have a higher squad, home field advantage, one more game to rest and no travel. In particular, in the Vietnamese team's lineup Currently, Nguyen Xuan Son is very excellent, scoring 5 goals in 3 matches. The number 1 task of the Thai team in the match at Viet Tri Stadium will be to lock down the 27-year-old striker on the Vietnamese side to aim for a draw. Coach Masatada Ishii and his team certainly prepared many plans to deal with Xuan Son, but it is not easy to do what they want. The number 1 striker of the Vietnamese team is considered to be "out of the league" in regional football, not afraid of any defense in this year's ASEAN Cup. The belief in winning Thailand faces many difficulties, both in terms of force and disadvantages in days off, travel, weather, field conditions... However, they are not an easy opponent in the first leg of the final. Remember the friendly match in September 2024, despite using the second team, Thailand still defeated the Vietnamese team 2-1 right at My Dinh. Of course, everything was different when the Vietnamese team was better prepared, especially with the strength upgraded by naturalized striker Nguyen Xuan Son.

The Vietnamese team is in a very relaxed spirit. Photo: SN

At home, with many advantages in hand, the Vietnamese team must beat Thailand to make it easier for the second leg. Of course, the strongest frame of the Vietnamese team is used by coach Kim Sang Sik, after constantly rotating from the group stage. In the goal position, Nguyen Filip can return because he is an experienced and brave goalkeeper, not to mention very good at playing with his feet. The three central defenders of the Vietnamese team are still Duy Manh, Thanh Chung and Bui Tien Dung. Coach Kim Sang Sik is only worried about the two wings of the team when many players are injured and not in the best form. Good news for the Korean captain when Xuan Manh has fully recovered, ready for the match against Thailand. The Hanoi FC player affirmed that he has faced Thailand many times and knows what to do to help the Vietnamese team win. On the opposite wing, Van Vi started to create the necessary pressure in the first half.

Vietnam team confident to defeat Thailand. Photo: SN

The two central midfielders of the Vietnamese team are Hoang Duc - Ngoc Tan. With the goal of winning at home, coach Kim Sang Sik focuses on the attack front, so Quang Hai plays the role of an attacking midfielder, the striker pair Tien Linh - Xuan Son. Never before has the "Golden Star Warriors" had a chance to defeat Thailand like tonight's match at Viet Tri Stadium. The important thing is how coach Kim Sang Sik and his team enter the game, how they operate the game and have the highest efficiency in attacking plans to score goals. Expected lineup of the Vietnamese team against Thailand: Nguyen Filip, Duy Manh, Thanh Chung, Tien Dung, Xuan Manh, Van Vi, Hoang Duc, Ngoc Tan, Quang Hai, Tien Linh, Xuan Son

Vietnamnet.vn

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/nhan-dinh-tuyen-viet-nam-dau-voi-thai-lan-20h-ngay-2-1-2359127.html