Vietnamese players train to prepare for the match with Thailand in the Asian zone’s second qualifying round for the World Cup 2020 on September 5. (Photo: vff.org.vn)Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - The road to the Qatar 2022 World Cup begins today, withVietnam facing a familiar opponent.
Thenational side will take on Thailand on away turf in the Asian zone’ssecond qualifying round, and head coach Park Hang-seo said they havenothing to fear.
The coachwas speaking at a press conference in Thammasat, Bangkok, on September 4.
“I am ahead coach so I will face pressure in every tournament, including big eventslike World Cup qualifying,” said Park.
“Recently,all Thai teams have lost to Vietnam. I know Thailand prepared for this matchcarefully. They have a new coach. The upcoming match will be difficult for theThais. They want to win, however, we also have prepared fully and withself-control. We will play with the spirit of Vietnamese people,” Park added.
The Koreancoach also said Vietnam aren’t afraid of Thailand.
“We beatThailand 1-0 in the King’s Cup in June. Of course, this win doesn’t mean much.If considering the football history of Vietnam and Thailand, Vietnam are at adisadvantage. However, now is a new time. Our players are more confident. Thewin in the King’s Cup brought Vietnamese players confidence. Thailand is astrong rival but we aren’t afraid of them,” said Park.
The coachsaid Vietnam would key in on Thailand's star play-maker ChanathipSongkrasin.
"Songkrasinis a talent. I saw him play at the Asian Cup. He can play well with two feet.Thailand have many good players but Songkrasin one we are cautious about,” saidPark.
Speakingat the press conference, captain Que Ngoc Hai said the Vietnamese squad haveprepared well.
“We had10 days to prepare for the first game but all of us are ready. We are verycomfortable to take on Thailand tomorrow,” said Hai.
Hai alsosaid the Thai players will want to prove themselves to new coach Akira Nishino.
“Thailandhave a new coach so footballers will try their best to prove themselves tohim,” said Hai.
Meanwhile,to prepare for the match, the 'War Elephants' have entered into somethingof a media lockdown. Reporters were barred from their training sessions, whilethe facility was hidden by pieces of sheet iron.
Thailandare attempting to get back on top of the region's football ladder and arereportedly paying coach Akira Nishino nearly 1 million USD per year.
TheJapanese coach led his nation to the last 16 of the Russia 2018 World Cup andhas been with Thailand for a month.
Nishino saidhe was very glad to be hired to coach the Thai team and is ready for his firstgame.
"Sevendays of preparation is not much, however, I spent time talking with myplayers. Siwarak Tedsungnoen will be captain of Thailand. I like hispersonality,” said Nishino.
“Ourprocess of preparation finished fine. Thailand have many young players. Theyproved their desire and skills. They are worthy to represent Thai football,”Nishino added.
Vietnam'sfinal 23-man squad was only finalised on September 4, and there was good newsfor coach Park.
Startingfullbacks Doan Van Hau and Nguyen Trong Hoang, of SC Heerenveen and Viettelrespectively, both made the squad after fears injury would rule them out.
The Koreancoach made few surprises with his selection, sticking with players who haveserved him well in his last more than two years in charge.
Al-AdbaSaoud Ali of Qatar will referee the match. Ali, 33, who became a FIFA refereein 2016, worked the qualifying round of the AFC U23 Championship 2020 in Hanoiearlier this year.
Ali willbe supported by Qatari assistants Dharman Mohammad Jaber and Al-ShamariYousuf Afef and Al Hatmi Qasim Matar Ali from Oman.
The matchwill kick off at 7pm at the 25,000-seat Thammasat Stadium in the city ofRangsit.-VNS/VNA
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