In the first matches of the Vietnamese team at the ASEAN Cup 2024, coach Kim Sang-sik continuously changed the players in each starting lineup. Explaining the decision of the Korean strategist at that time, many experts said that Mr. Kim had not found a satisfactory framework, so he played and explored at the same time.
However, until the two semi-final matches against Singapore, the captain of the Vietnamese team still kept the style that made the opponent "unable to know where to look" by constantly changing the starting lineup. In the second leg of the semi-final at Viet Tri Stadium, the names considered new to the team such as Hai Long and Ngoc Quang were in the starting lineup for the first time. Therefore, it is not impossible that Mr. Kim will continue to keep the style of making many changes in the starting lineup in the first leg of the final against Thailand at home.
"In recent matches, Xuan Son has been the starter, Tien Linh had to wait until the second half to get his chance. I still like the scenario where Tien Linh plays highest up front and pairs up with Xuan Son to form a "double-barreled gun" attacking duo. Below these two strikers will be Quang Hai playing in the role of an attacking midfielder.
Behind Quang Hai will be the duo Hoang Duc - Ngoc Tan. On the left wing will be the appearance of Van Vi, on the opposite wing is Xuan Manh. With the defense, the arrangement like the last semi-final match will probably continue to be repeated (Tien Dung - Thanh Chung - Duy Manh). Standing in the goal, I think the opportunity may return to Filip" - Commentator Quang Huy predicted.
Among the stars of the Vietnamese team at the moment, Xuan Son is the name that attracts the most attention. The naturalized Brazilian striker shows a level that is far superior to the rest of the team in particular and the level of players participating in the tournament in general.
Meanwhile, although Chanathip and Dangda are no longer there, Thailand still possesses many young strikers with good penetrating power, especially the striker pair Suphanat and Gutstavsson.
"We have seen Xuan Son play in the V.League a lot, but in the national team, everything will be very different. Maybe the team's attacks and passes with Xuan Son are not as smooth as those of Thep Xanh Nam Dinh, but his teammates in the national team have a higher general level.
On the Thai side, the away team also has very good attacking stars like Suphanat. In this tournament, Suphanat was not well prepared physically but still left a lot of impressions.
The 22-year-old star's most memorable moment was the goal against the Philippines in the final minutes of the second extra time in the semi-finals, thereby winning a ticket to the final match. Suphanat is not tall but has scored 2 headers in this tournament, so he is a very scary striker for Thailand.
Next to Suphanat will be Gustavsson. This is a player with a European style of play. The Swedish striker has scored 4 goals after 6 matches in this tournament, equal to Suphanat and 1 goal less than Xuan Son. Therefore, we are looking forward to the competition between two very strong striker pairs, Tien Linh - Xuan Son and Suphanat - Gutstavsson" - Commentator Quang Huy predicted.
The first leg of the 2024 ASEAN Cup final between Vietnam and Thailand will take place at 8:00 p.m. on January 2 at Viet Tri Stadium (Phu Tho province), live on FPT Television.
