Live press conference of coach Kim Sang-sik: Nguyen Xuan Son does not take Tien Linh's place

As for singing the National Anthem, I am confident that I can do it in tomorrow's match. I have practiced singing the Vietnamese National Anthem every day.
"For me, this is a wonderful and memorable moment in my life. I am happy to be here. I have the support of the coaching staff and teammates and I hope I can contribute to the national team.
Regarding how to celebrate if I score, I haven't really thought about that. But what I want most right now is to have a good performance," Nguyen Xuan Son answered the question about his first appearance for the Vietnamese team.
"I'm very excited about tomorrow's match. Although the recent travel is a bit tiring, the whole team is very focused and confident to win, " Nguyen Xuan Son shared.
According to coach Kim Sang-sik, the naturalized Brazilian striker will play in tomorrow's match for the Vietnamese team.
Nguyen Xuan Son must wait until the first three matches of the AFF Cup 2024 to be eligible to play for the Vietnamese national team.
- In the first match, the Vietnamese team scored 4 goals but in the next 2 matches, they could only score 1 goal/match from the midfielders. What problems are the Vietnamese team's strikers facing and is Xuan Son the one who can solve this?
In the match against the Philippines, at the beginning of the first half, the Vietnamese team played actively. After Quang Hai's minor injury, the team had a few bad moments.
In addition, we also made some changes to the starting lineup and the players also learned their lesson. The appearance of Xuan Son in the next match will bring positivity. The players' spirit is high and I believe that the players will try their best to win.
- Honestly, which team do you want to meet in the semi-finals?
I think that at this time, Southeast Asian football has a big change in the lineup of the teams. I have tried to analyze each team carefully, although not 100%. It doesn't matter which team we meet. The players are ready.
Some of my players think we will meet Malaysia in the semi-finals, but at this point I think we need to focus on tomorrow's match to get a good result.
- Currently, in group A, Singapore and Malaysia could be Vietnam's opponents in the semi-finals. What do you think?
I also watched the matches in Group A, Singapore and Malaysia could be our opponents. However, at this time, what I care most about is the performance of the Vietnam team.
In the long term, I have thought about the final but my first concern is the players' fitness. The coaching staff will do their best to support the players to have the best form.
- What lessons did you learn from the match against the Philippines? Does such a chaotic defense affect the stability of the Vietnamese team?
In the match against the Philippines, we used new players like Viet Anh and Thanh Binh, but the results were not as expected. When I put their names in the starting lineup, I also put my trust in these players.
Although we didn't win, the Vietnamese team regained control of the game and got a draw. The positive thing is that through that match, I understood my players better.
Nguyen Xuan Son to play with Tien Linh?
- Do you feel "headache" when choosing between Xuan Son and Tien Linh?
As I said, having Xuan Son in the squad is a good thing. I hope Tien Linh and Xuan Son will coordinate well, show good form and bring efficiency to the team.
Nguyen Xuan Son is sure to play.
- What is the idea of using Xuan Son in tomorrow's match, sir?
Vietnam is very lucky to have Xuan Son in the squad. Tomorrow is his first match. I see that Xuan Son has good physical strength and technique, this is a new start for Vietnam. The coaching staff is very hopeful about Son's performance and hopes that Son will also perform well for Vietnamese fans.
- What are the preparations and goals of the Vietnamese team for tomorrow's match?
Tomorrow is the last match of the group stage to determine whether Vietnam will win the top spot or not. We are confident and well prepared. Although the schedule is a bit tiring, everyone is preparing actively. Hopefully the whole team will have good results.
Coach Kim Sang-sik.
- What do you think about tomorrow's match?
We understand that tomorrow's match is very important. Vietnam is a strong team, but we are technically prepared to come here and win.
With Myanmar, we will focus on all Vietnamese players and not just pay attention to any individual. In the previous match, Vietnam was strong and so was the Philippines, but the two teams deployed different playing styles and styles. Currently, Myanmar has brought here the best squad to prepare for tomorrow's match.
- Last time, you came to Vietnam as the head coach of the club that faced Dong A Thanh Hoa in the Southeast Asian Cup. This time, you came here as the captain of the Myanmar team. How do you feel? Can you evaluate Doan Ngoc Tan - Thanh Hoa's captain and also a new player for the Vietnam team?
In August we played against Thanh Hoa and lost. I know Doan Ngoc Tan is a good player in the Vietnam team. But as I said, the Myanmar team does not focus on any particular individual. Playing at the national team level is very different from playing at the club level and we have prepared carefully for tomorrow's match.
- Do you think the Vietnamese team can win the championship? How does the Vietnamese team stand compared to Thailand at the ASEAN Cup 2024?
All teams want to win the championship. For me, Vietnam is the strongest team in this tournament and they have a chance to win the championship.
- Is there a chance for Myanmar to score points against the Vietnamese team?
As I said, tomorrow's game is important. We want three points and I believe the players will do it.
- Myanmar team is missing player Maung Maung Lwin due to suspension. How will you adjust the personnel?
We have prepared and planned to replace him, even though he is an important player for Myanmar. But we have a plan for that.
- In the previous match, Myanmar won against Laos in the last minutes.
I also hope that my players will have the same fighting spirit when they meet Vietnam in the upcoming match. Before that, Myanmar won at home with the support of their fans. Therefore, that brings confidence to the whole team. I also want to thank my students and hope they will continue to do well.
- The Vietnam team will have the service of player Nguyen Xuan Son in tomorrow's match, do you know this information and what do you think about this?
We know that Vietnam has many quality players, not just Xuan Son. This is a group of good and experienced players. The Myanmar team will not focus on any individual, but instead focus on studying the opponent comprehensively. Tomorrow will be an interesting match.
- What are the preparations and goals of the Myanmar team in the match against Vietnam?
Tomorrow is the last match of the two teams, we have prepared to win. This is an important match for both Vietnam and Myanmar.
Vietnam will face Myanmar in the final match of Group B of the 2024 AFF Cup (ASEAN Cup). The match will take place at 8 p.m. tomorrow (December 21) at Viet Tri Stadium (Phu Tho). Before the match, coaches Kim Sang-sik (Vietnam) and Myo Hlaing Win (Myanmar) attended a press conference.
Vietnam team is not sure to pass the group stage
Vietnam is currently at the top of the group with 7 points after 3 matches. Indonesia and Myanmar (both with 4 points) are behind. Group B could have a scenario where all 3 teams have 7 points after the final match on December 18. That would happen if Vietnam loses to Myanmar, while Indonesia defeats the Philippines.
According to the regulations of the AFF Cup 2024, the secondary index considered to classify teams with equal points is the head-to-head result. The Vietnamese team will be eliminated if they lose to Myanmar by 2 goals or more (with the condition that Indonesia wins the Philippines with any score).
The Vietnamese team is still at risk of being eliminated. (Photo: VFF)
If they do not lose to Myanmar, coach Kim Sang-sik's team will top Group B and face Malaysia, Singapore or Cambodia in the semi-finals.
Losing 0-1 to Myanmar, while Indonesia beat the Philippines with a difference of no more than 3 goals, the Vietnamese team still topped the table. At that time, the 3 teams Vietnam, Myanmar and Indonesia had the same points, the same head-to-head statistics. The next sub-index to be considered is the goal difference - goals conceded. The Vietnamese team (+4) had the advantage over Myanmar and Indonesia (both 0).
Vietnam will advance to the second place in the group if they lose to Myanmar while Indonesia fails to beat the Philippines. Another possibility for coach Kim Sang-sik's team to finish second in the group is if they lose to Myanmar 0-1 and Indonesia wins the Philippines by more than 3 goals.