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'We came here to beat Thailand': Vietnam head coach
Coach Kim Sang-sik has set his sights on the ASEAN Cup title, asserting that Vietnam will not settle for a draw in the second leg of the final at Rajamangala Stadium.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference in Bangkok, Kim urged his players to move past the first-leg win and focus on the upcoming challenge.
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Coach Kim Sang-sik. |
"We know Thailand will be strong on their home ground, pushing offensively and applying pressure. But we are not intimidated. The team are well-prepared and ready to perform at their best tomorrow to secure the championship," Kim said.
With an advantage after the 2-1 victory at Viet Tri Stadium in Phu Tho Province in the first leg, Vietnam need only a draw to claim the title. However, Kim wants more than that.
He considers the second leg of the final a match of national pride and a clash between coaches of South Korea and Japan, who are also rivals in Asia.
"A few days ago, we won. We will do anything to be champions, preparing ourselves mentally and physically. We came here to beat Thailand and win the title," the 48-year-old coach said.
With 50,000 Thai fans expected to fill Rajamangala Stadium, coach Kim acknowledged the intensity of the home crowd but expressed confidence in his players’ resilience and preparation. He also admitted that the difference between the weather in Bangkok and Phu Tho posed a challenge.
"The players are physically tired, but I believe they will give their all to achieve the goal," Kim added.
Victory in this final would be Vietnam’s first ASEAN Cup title since 2018 under former coach Park Hang-seo. Kim could replicate the historic milestone set by his fellow South Korean and add another chapter to Vietnam’s rivalry with Thailand.
The first-leg victory marked Vietnam’s first home win against Thailand in 27 years and their first official tournament victory over this opponent since the 2008 ASEAN Cup final, where they won 2-1 in the first leg at Rajamangala before drawing 1-1 in the second to claim the title for the first time.
"This is a big tournament, not just for Vietnamese fans but also for South Korean supporters. Vietnam haven’t won this title in six years," Kim said. "The past months have been challenging for me and the players as we learned the tactics and built the team. I’m grateful to the coaching staff, players, medical team and everyone who has supported us. We’ve come together both on and off the pitch, and tomorrow, we will fight as we practiced to achieve our goal."
The second leg kicks off at 8 p.m. on Sunday (Hanoi time).
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