The Vietnam team will have an international friendly match with Cambodia tomorrow (March 19) in Binh Duong. Before this match, this afternoon (March 18), coach Kim Sang-sik and central defender Do Duy Manh attended a press conference to share with the media.
At the beginning of the press conference, coach Kim Sang-sik told about the situation of the whole team. He said: "The team's atmosphere and the current player conditions are very good. I expect the result against Cambodia.
Tomorrow is the first match after winning the ASEAN Cup. This is an important match. In this list of new faces, I see how their potential is. In addition, Cambodia also made changes. So we are also careful to find a way to deal with this match.
Cambodia is not high on the rankings. However, this team has many naturalized players. Southeast Asian football has changed every day, getting stronger every day. Cambodia's recent ASEAN Cup was not easy to play. We will try our best for tomorrow's match".
The Cambodian national team has 6 naturalized players, notably striker Kader Coulibaly from the Ivory Coast.
When asked about this player as well as the naturalized players of Cambodia, coach Kim Sang-sik commented: "I know Cambodia has 6 naturalized players from Japan to Africa. Kader Coulibaly is a striker, who can perform well in the national championship.
In the ASEAN Cup, he also scored 2 goals, this is a dangerous player for the opposing team. But I have Duy Manh, Thanh Chung, my defenders have good control. We focus on one person. The team will show the audience how we have prepared."
Regarding different conditions in Binh Duong such as weather and field conditions, coach Kim Sang-sik said: "The weather is a bit hot. However, my players are adapting well. His current physical condition is fine. The stadium here is different from the one we played in Hanoi, but we are adapting and improving."
Before the match against Cambodia, Bui Hoang Viet Anh was injured and had to return to the club for treatment. Coach Kim Sang-sik regrets this absence but is not too worried because the central defender position of the Vietnam national team still has many good players and is in stable form. Especially young players, if they perform well, they can be given a chance.
Mr. Kim also added about the possibility of playing: "Ding Trieu was injured and almost recovered. He is in the process of preparing for tomorrow's match. Tomorrow's ability to compete will be evaluated after today's training session".
"This is the first match after winning the 2024 ASEAN Cup, so we have high expectations. I feel responsible for the players. I want to preserve the enjoyment of football with fans.
I have worked for 8, 9 months and I don't see any difference. The team is receiving a lot of love, I am grateful for that. I feel more responsible. I will try to develop the team and aim for bigger goals," concluded coach Kim Sang-sik.
