CNN Indonesia
Tuesday, 22 Aug 2023 17:28 WIB
Thailand U-23 coach Issara Sritaro is confused about choosing Indonesia or Vietnam in the semifinals of the 2023 AFF U-23 Cup. (REUTERS/CHALINEE THIRASUPA)
Jakarta, CNNIndonesia —
Thailand U-23 coach Issara Sritaro admitted that it was difficult to choose Indonesia or Vietnam as an opponent in the semifinals AFF U-23 Cup 2023.
Thailand became the first team to ensure qualification for the semifinals of the 2023 AFF U-23 Cup. This certainty was obtained after Thailand beat Cambodia 2-0 in the last match of Group A, Monday (21/8).
The victory over Cambodia made Thailand finish as Group A winners and qualify for the semifinals of the 2023 AFF U-23 Cup.
In the semifinal match of the 2023 AFF U-23 Cup which will be held at the Rayong Province Stadium on Thursday (24/8), Thailand will meet the best runner up of the group phase.
Asked about the potential to meet Indonesia or Vietnam in the semifinals, Thailand coach Issara Sritaro admitted that he could not yet assess the strengths of the two teams.
“Right now we don’t know for sure whether we will face Indonesia or Vietnam, and we can’t judge which opponent is more difficult to face. But in football, if you want to win, you have to beat the strongest opponent,” Issara said as quoted from Bongda Plus.
“Vietnam is the strongest team this year. They won the tournament last time, and can also play very well in this year’s tournament. The Thailand coaching team will carefully consider every detail to find the right strategy if they meet Vietnam. We’ll see what happens in the field,” Issara added.
Meanwhile, the best runner-up position is occupied by Indonesia with a score of three points from two matches in Group B.
Apart from that, Malaysia, Timor Leste, Vietnam and the Philippines also still have the chance to qualify for the semifinals as group winners and best runners up.
In the last match of the group phase which will be held on Tuesday (22/8), Malaysia will meet Timor Leste and Vietnam will face the Philippines.
If Malaysia wins over Timor Leste, the Harimau Muda team will automatically qualify for the semifinals as Group B winners.
However, if Timor Leste wins with a two goal difference over Malaysia, then the team nicknamed Lafaek will qualify for the semifinals as Group B winners.
However, if Timor Leste only wins by a one-goal margin, then the determination of the team that will qualify from Group B will be determined through the productivity of the goals scored between Timor Leste, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Meanwhile, if Vietnam wins over the Philippines, then automatically a team nicknamed the Golden Star Warriors will qualify for the semifinals as the winner of Group C.
But if the Philippines wins with a difference of three goals then the Philippines will qualify for the semifinals as Group C winners, while Vietnam has a big chance of qualifying as the best runner up.
(rrr)
2023-08-22 10:28:12
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