[일문일답] Park Hang-seo and Kim Pan-gon cooperate, exchange opinions against Thailand in the AFF Cup final

[골닷컴, 하노이] Korean directors create a synergistic effect on the Southeast Asian stage. Vietnam coach Park Hang-seo received Malaysia coach Kim Pan-gon’s know-how in the Thailand game.

On the 12th, a press conference for the AFF Cup final was held at the Vietnam Football Association in Hanoi. Vietnam and Thailand will play home & away finals in Hanoi on the 13th and Bangkok on the 16th. Coach Park Hang-seo, who is trying to win his second AFF Cup, revealed that he had a phone call with coach Kim Pan-gon. We listened to the opinions of coach Kim Pan-gon, who faced Thailand in the semifinals.

Coach Park Hang-seo said, “I had a phone call with coach Kim Pan-gon yesterday,” and said, “Director Kim played (against Thailand). He is taking the advice he gave me,” he said. Coach Pangon Kim’s Malaysia faced Thailand twice in the semifinals. Malaysia won 1-0 in the first leg at home, but lost 0-3 in the second leg on the road, behind with an aggregate score of 1-3. This cooperation is possible because the directors who hold the baton in Vietnam and Malaysia are all Korean.

Of course, head coach Park Hang-seo and head coach Lee Young-jin are also diligently analyzing Thailand. Coach Park said, “Thailand’s offensive power can be good thanks to the organic play of the 3rd, 6th and 8th in the midfield. If this place is blocked, Thailand will not be able to demonstrate its offensive power.” The information obtained by the Vietnamese coaching staff directly observing Thailand’s game on the field is also used to prepare for the final.

In Vietnamese football, Thailand has historically been a barrier that is difficult to overcome. In the overall record of the A national team, it is far behind with 3 wins, 7 draws and 16 losses in 26 matches. Under coach Park Hang-seo, they became equal. The A national team is tight with 1 win, 3 draws and 1 loss, and the under-22 national team (Southeast Asian Games) leads with 1 win and 1 draw. However, the only A team’s victory over Thailand is the 2019 King’s Cup, a friendly competition. The Vietnamese media focuses on whether coach Park Hang-seo will defeat Thailand with national team A in the final stage.

Head coach Park Hang-seo recalled, “For five years, the Southeast Asian team had only one loss, and that was against Thailand.” In the semi-finals of the AFF Cup in December 2021, Vietnam lost 0-2 to Thailand and failed to advance to the final. Director Park Hang-seo said, “I really want to take revenge this time. I will do my best to give a trophy to the Vietnamese people who have supported me for the past five years.”

[일문일답]

(Final resolution)

Before we prepared for the AFF Cup, my players and I had a meeting. There were talks about what the AFF Cup goal was and how to achieve it, as well as suggestions to the association. I couldn’t say the word win and set the goal of advancing to the finals. Our players shared a goal, and we shared what we should do. Fortunately, I made it to the finals, which I set as my goal. We reached our goal, but the players and I decided two things to do in the match against Thailand. For one, while I was in Vietnam for 5 years, I had the only one defeat in a Southeast Asian country while I was in charge of the national team with the 23-year-old. It was a 0-2 loss to Thailand in the semifinals of the Singapore tournament. This time, I really want to take revenge. Another thing is that this tournament is the last for me in Vietnam. As a coach, I will do my best to achieve good results in the last two games and to present a trophy to Vietnamese soccer fans who love soccer and the Vietnamese people who have supported the players and me for the past 5 years.

(A key player is missing in Thailand. Will it work in Vietnam’s favor?)

Are there any players missing other than Thailand’s Song Krasin? We also don’t have Kong Phuong. I don’t think it’s right to judge such a situation.

(Did you decline all requests to attend other events during the convention?)

The idea is that after our players convene, everyone in the squad should move in the same way according to the team schedule. I don’t allow myself to have personal time just because I’m a director. I must always be awake and ready. Players do not go to unnecessary events, so should I, the coach, go? The preparation process is the same for every match. There are currently no injuries on the team. I prepared as usual, but I am under the psychological pressure of the final. I’m under pressure, but I’m careful with my actions and words in front of our players. That part can be a bit difficult for me, but the daily preparation process is the same. The coaches also diligently analyzed the opponent and held the first meeting yesterday. I also listened to the opinions of coaches who visited the field. Yesterday, I had a phone call with director Kim Pan-gon. Since coach Kim played the game himself, he is referring to the advice he gave me.

(Director Polking said that Thailand is ahead in offense?)

Thailand believes that each player’s ability is outstanding. I agree with that, but if you look at the record until the second leg of the semifinals so far, Thailand has 16 wins and 3 losses. We are 14 runs scoreless. We also have only two goals in offense, but I don’t know if they say we’re good at defense and don’t talk about offense. Our offensive power is also great.

Thailand has several patterns. Patterns 2, 6, and 11 on the left, patterns 5, 8, and 17 on the right, and the organic play of midfielders 3, 6, and 8 is very excellent. I don’t think there’s much to be afraid of in terms of attack power. The organic play of the midfield is rather a burden to me. 3, 6, 8 are good Thai attack power. I think that if there is a blockade, it will not be able to demonstrate its offensive power.

(What do you think about the evaluation of rough play?)

There is only one team that says we’re roughing it. I’m not going to name that one team, but I don’t know if my guess is right, but if it is, you should reflect on the team’s play before talking about it. Let me be clear, soccer is a contact sport. I swear I never play to harm or hurt my opponent. I think it’s important to look back at your own team before playing a game.

* Responding to a player’s question about whether being the manager’s last tournament motivates the players

It’s not for me, but if you’re a national representative, it’s natural that you should win in order not to disappoint the people. I don’t think it’s right for the players to feel pressure because I’m the last.

[2022 AFF컵 결승전 일정]

1/13/2023 (Fri) 21:30 = Vietnam vs Thailand @My Dinh National Stadium (Hanoi, Vietnam)

Monday, January 16, 2023 21:30 = Thailand vs Vietnam @Thammasat Stadium (Bangkok, Thailand)

Away goals, extra time, penalties apply

Article, photo = Hong Jae-min