On the afternoon of January 1, 2025, coach Masatada Ishii of the Thai team attended a press conference before the first leg of the final match of the ASEAN Cup 2024 against the Vietnamese team. Here, coach Ishii affirmed his goal of wanting to win against the Vietnamese team in both upcoming final matches.
"First of all, I would like to send New Year greetings to everyone. In the upcoming final, we will meet a strong team, Vietnam. Previously, in the semi-finals, Thailand lost 1 match to the Philippines, so we hope to win the next 2 matches," coach Ishii shared.
Coach Ishii also rated striker Nguyen Xuan Son as the most important player of the Vietnamese team. The Japanese "strategist" also refused to answer when asked about the plan to counter Xuan Son.
He said: "I do not make comparisons because the Vietnam team itself has made progress and changed personnel in the squad. The most important player in the Vietnam squad could be Nguyen Xuan Son.
After the semi-finals, we have to play away in the first leg of the final. I personally want the team to have the best possible result, or a victory. I will not share how we will deal with Xuan Son because this is a team secret."
Regarding the Thai team's squad before the first leg of the final match against Vietnam, coach Ishii said: "Not only Suphanat, but the Thai team also has other players with injury problems. I myself will work with the coaching staff to help the players have the best physical condition for the next two matches."
"I have only been leading the Thai team for 1 year, I have no experience and experience with this. But we will meet Vietnam in the ASEAN Cup final, and if everyone considers this match a "super classic", I hope the atmosphere on the field tomorrow will explode and hope both teams have a good performance," coach Ishii added.
The first leg final match between Vietnam and Thailand will take place at 8:00 p.m. on January 2, 2025 at Viet Tri Stadium (Phu Tho province).
