Being held 2-2 by Thailand at home ground in the final first leg, Vietnam are expected to face many difficulties in the return leg played at Thammasat Stadium of Thailand at 7:30pm on January 16. Getting back in form and a stroke of luck may help coach Park Hang Seo and his players win the championship.
Being held 2-2 by Thailand at home ground in the final first leg, Vietnam are expected to face many difficulties in the return leg played at Thammasat Stadium of Thailand at 7:30pm on January 16. Getting back in form and a stroke of luck may help coach Park Hang Seo and his players win the championship.
The final first leg between the two teams, who are regarded as the strongest ones in Southeast Asia, at My Dinh Stadium on January 13 brought Vietnamese football fans many emotions, especially the moments when Tien Linh scored the opener and Van Thanh struck the ball into Thailand’s net in the last minutes to level the score at 2-2. Generally, it was not a bad start for Vietnam in the finals. However, this is not enough for them to be in an advantageous position in the return leg against the hosts Thailand.
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Vietnam couldn’t maintain the advantage of scoring first, were fought back and conceded 2 consecutive goals in the second half of the first leg. Thailand seemed to play better; it was just luck and excellence of goalkeeper Van Lam to save Vietnam from a conceded goal in the added time.
In the after-match press conference, coach Park was sorry that he failed to fulfill the promise to bring Vietnam a win and an advantage in his last match at home ground. However, coach Park is still confident that Vietnam can overcome Thailand in the final match. Playing at home and with the support of fans, Thailand are likely to play at their best as they grab a 3-0 win against Malaysia in the semi-final return leg.
A good tactic and surprise is a need for Vietnam to win at Thailand’s stadium. Midfielder Quang Hai hasn’t been in his good form and hasn’t displayed his role effectively in connecting the defense and the attack of Vietnam. He was replaced in the last stage of the second half with Thailand on January 13 due to his unimpressive play. Hopefully, in the final return leg in Thailand, Quang Hai will regain his form and display enthusiasm as he showed in the 2018 AFC U-23 Championship final in Changzhou (China) 4 years ago.
An Nhien
Translated by H.N
