Southeast Asian media: 'Xuan Son is scary but coach Kim is the best'

Southeast Asian media has given many compliments to coach Kim Sang-sik and his team after the first leg of the AFF Cup 2024 final against Thailand on the evening of January 2, 2025. The Vietnamese team is so good!

Coach Kim Sang-sik and the Vietnamese team surprised Southeast Asian fans

In the first leg of the 2024 AFF Cup final, the Vietnamese team won 2-1 against Thailand. Xuan Son continued his good form with a double goal in the 59th and 73rd minutes. Meanwhile, Thailand's goal was scored by Chalermsak Aukkee in the 83rd minute. In addition to having a big advantage before the second leg of the final (taking place on January 5 at Rajamangala Stadium), this victory also marked the first time in 16 years that the Vietnamese team defeated Thailand in an official match.

When the match between the Vietnamese team ended, Suara newspaper expressed surprise at the way coach Kim Sang-sik used his players against Thailand . The Indonesian newspaper said that it was the changes made by the Korean coach that helped the Vietnamese team completely transform in this year's tournament.

Indonesian newspaper surprised by what coach Kim Sang-sik brought to the Vietnam team

PHOTO: NGOC LINH

“Coach Kim Sang-sik’s lineup brought many surprises to fans across Southeast Asia. In fact, since the AFF Cup group stage, we have seen Mr. Kim Sang-sik rotate the lineup. But when facing Thailand, no one dared to think that he would make such a risky move, especially when it was the final match. Instead of using an aggressive, experienced player with good pressing like Dinh Thanh Binh, Mr. Kim Sang-sik chose Vi Hao. Although he had little experience and was too young, this guy kept running on the field, causing many difficulties for the Thai defense. In addition, in the back line, the Vietnamese team kept two important players, Quang Hai and Duy Manh. However, the home team still had a very good game and even somewhat dominated the Thai team in the first half.

In the second half, when the Thai defenders were exhausted, Mr. Kim Sang-sik made changes and the game completely belonged to the home team. In which, Quang Hai was the most important appearance. The clear evidence is that in the 59th minute, Xuan Son had a beautiful header but Quang Hai's pass was the most classy. Xuan Son then continued to have a brave move, raising the score in the 73rd minute. He was scary but Mr. Kim Sang-sik was the one who was skillful," analyzed Suara newspaper.

Xuan Son had a truly classy performance.

PHOTO: NGOC LINH

Different spirit, worthy victory

Meanwhile, the Malaysian newspaper Bharian was also surprised by what the Vietnamese team showed against Thailand. Journalist Zulfaizan Mansor commented: “After 6 matches at the AFF Cup 2024, the Thai team faced a real opponent in the final match named Vietnam. For the first time in this year's tournament, fans saw Thailand having to play in a tight group, unable to create an overwhelming situation against the opponent. Throughout the first half as well as the beginning of the second half, Thailand almost did not create any stormy situations for the Vietnamese team.

However, what surprised fans the most in the first leg of the final was the spirit of the Vietnamese team. Previously, when meeting Thailand, the Vietnamese team was often considered the underdog, playing somewhat fearfully. However, in the match at Viet Tri Stadium, coach Kim Sang-sik's team played confidently, pressuring Thailand. Therefore, the victory at home was completely deserved for the Vietnamese team."

Thanhnien.vn

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/truyen-thong-dong-nam-a-xuan-son-that-dang-so-nhung-hlv-kim-moi-cao-tay-18525010221415799.htm