Vietnamese players train ahead of the AFF Cup final (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Malaysia are hoping home advantage will pay off as they will take on Vietnam in the first leg of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2018 final on December 11 evening. But coach Park Hang-seo insists his team will not be intimidated by the 80,000 strong crowd at the Bukit Jalil stadium. The Korean coach said he has a plan in place to beat the home crowd in the first leg while relaying on the strength of character of the young players in the team. Speaking to reporters at the pre-match conference in Kuala Lumpur on December 10, Park pointed out it has been 10 years since the team has played in a major final. He also said since then, the two sides have met 10 times, with Vietnam coming out on top in five of those matches. He said: "Playing in front of 80,000 local fans will be very difficult, it is huge crowd, but during training, I and my assistants reminded players of this issue. We tell them how to keep … [Read more...] about Vietnam can handle Malaysian challenge in AFF Cup final
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Thai media: Vietnam moves closer to AFF Cup championship title
Cong Phuong scored the second goal for Vietnam in the match with the Philippines on December 6. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Thai media ran various headlines on Vietnam’s victory over the Philippines in the semifinal return leg of the ASEAN Federation Football (AFF) Suzuki Cup 2018, saying that the team is inching closer to the championship title. Vietnam had a convincing win with the aggregate score of 4-2 after two semifinal matches with the championship now within reach for the team, Thailand-based Siam Sports wrote. They are very close to winning the AFF Cup trophy for the second time, even if their next opponent in the finals is Malaysia who defeated Thailand in the semifinals. Meanwhile, the Thai version of Goal.com recalled it has been 10 years since the last time Vietnam reached the final. A decade has passed since and the Vietnamese team finally has the joy of entering the AFF cup finals, with fans filled with the hope of sitting on top in Southeast Asia for the … [Read more...] about Thai media: Vietnam moves closer to AFF Cup championship title
Asian media laud Vietnam’s AFF Cup performance
Vietnam’s performance in the group stage of AFF Suzuki Cup 2018, with three wins, one draw and no goals conceded, has been applauded by several Asian newspapers and commentators. Fox Sports Asia said Vietnam’s 3-0 victory against Cambodia was their best in AFF Cup 2018 so far. "The game was dominated by the home team while Cambodia was more reliant on counterattacks. When the match ended, Vietnam was able to frustrate the visitors with a 3-0 win," Indonesian sports newspaper Okezone Bola commented. "Park Hang-seo magic has enthused Hanoi three times this year, and the third time, he helped Vietnam top group A and qualify for the semifinals," wrote South Korean newspaper Joong Ilbo. Clean sheet Vietnam stands second in the number of goals scored thus far, with eight against Thailand’s 12. But Vietnam is the only team that hasn’t conceded any goal in four matches. Fox Sports Asia said Vietnam’s strongest asset is their impenetrable backline. "That three-man … [Read more...] about Asian media laud Vietnam’s AFF Cup performance
Vietnam, Malaysia have advantages in AFF Cup’s Group A: ESPN
Goalkeeper Dang Van Lam is viewed one of the most prominent players of Vietnam at the AFF Suzuki Cup 2018 (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam and Malaysia are deemed the favourites for the next stage in Group A of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup 2018, reported the ESPN sport website. The AFF Suzuki Cup will take place from November 8 to December 15 at 12 different stadiums in Southeast Asia. Group A consists of Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos. According to ESPN, Vietnam’s senior side has not played a lot of late and warmed up with a training camp in the Republic of Korea and friendly matches against local clubs. Qualification for the 2019 Asian Cup was impressive and there is a nucleus of young players that have come through the ranks together. Head coach Park Hang-seo has become a popular figure after leading Vietnam’s U23 team to a series of impressive results in continental tournaments. Additionally, goalkeeper Dang … [Read more...] about Vietnam, Malaysia have advantages in AFF Cup’s Group A: ESPN
Bản in : Vietnam, Philippines eye top spot at AFF Cup
Vietnam and the Philippines will battle it out to secure the top place in their last Group A game, each vying for an advantage going into the semi-final stage of the AFF Cup. Vietnam currently rank second with four points after a draw against Indonesia and a win over Laos. A win will place them on top of the group, but a draw against the Philippines on November 28 will still send them through. For Vietnam's head coach, Toshyia Miura, securing a place in the semi-finals is the main priority, meaning a draw would be fine for him. "We will protect our second place first before thinking of the top place," Miura said. The Philippines have already qualified after two convincing wins over Laos and Indonesia, but they have yet to secure top place and need at least a draw to be group winners. The top-placed team will gain the advantage of playing at home for the second game in the two-leg semi-final round. The Philippines' head coach, Thomas Dooley, is pushing his team to finish … [Read more...] about Bản in : Vietnam, Philippines eye top spot at AFF Cup