11:53: The press conference of the Vietnam team ends.
Reporter: The Vietnam team has not scored a goal in the first half of the past matches. Is this a tactic or is it because the team is having difficulty approaching the match?
Coach Kim Sang-sik: In most of the matches, the Vietnamese team could not score in the first half. This is not the team's problem, it is just a lack of luck. In fact, the team created many opportunities but could not score. Currently, the players are showing very good form. I will make some changes and hope the team will be stronger in the first half of tomorrow's match.
Reporter: In the next match, how will the Vietnamese team overcome Singapore's attacks? We also see the opponent's weaknesses, what will you do next?
Coach Kim Sang-sik: We couldn't score in the first half of the semi-final first leg, but fortunately the players tried harder in the second half. After the match, we analyzed the match and understood Singapore's attacking style, they play well with long balls. We have prepared our plans and hope to counter them well, while trying to put pressure on the opponent. Tomorrow will be a great match for both teams.
Reporter: As you said, the score of 2-0 is still dangerous. So what will be the tactical choice tomorrow, will we play defensively or not?
Coach Kim Sang-sik: I believe that the players will try their best, and in addition to defending, they will have to attack better. Tomorrow, we will play at home, with the support of the fans, the whole team will try their best to overcome the difficulties. I believe that the players will confidently contribute in this important match.
Player Duy Manh: Many people may think that tomorrow's match is easy, but for us it is difficult. I know that Vietnamese fans are lining up to buy tickets. As national team players, my team and I need to focus on the second leg of the semi-final, then think about the final. Our support is the Phu Tho audience and the whole country, that is the best motivation to go out and contribute.
Reporter: Korean and Vietnamese players have differences. How did you do that well?
Coach Kim Sang-sik: I think the players are the same. Some people say I have succeeded, but I think it is a long journey and this is just the beginning. Duy Manh and the other players always follow my tactics, that is my honor. I can go this far thanks to the players. We will do our best to fight tomorrow.
Reporter: In the first semi-final, Vietnam won 2-0. So what is the plan for tomorrow's match?
Coach Kim Sang-sik: We won 2-0 and have one foot in the final, but this score is still not safe and the whole team needs to prepare more carefully. The Vietnamese team will try their best when playing at home.
Reporter: How is the preparation for tomorrow's match of the Vietnam team?
Coach Kim Sang-sik: This is a tight schedule for both the players and the coaching staff, but the players are focused and will play with discipline and unity. I would like to thank the fans who have always come to the stadium and accompanied the team. With that support, the Vietnam team is determined to compete tomorrow.
Player Do Duy Manh: In tomorrow's match, the Vietnamese team will have to concentrate at the highest level and follow the coaching staff's tactics. Not only me but the whole team must try to play well.
11:27: Coach Kim Sang-sik answers the press.
Reporter: Are the Singapore players in good shape for tomorrow's match and how will you select your personnel?
Coach Tsutomu Ogura: Right now, I can't say who I will pick for tomorrow's match, the important thing is that we need to move on. In the first leg, Singapore could not score, while the other team scored 2 goals in the last minutes. So, in a football match, we need to watch the whole 90 minutes plus extra time.
Reporter: Singapore is under pressure about the score and has to play away. How is the team mentally prepared?
PV: At the press conference before the first leg, you said Singapore would control Xuan Son, but in the end, this striker still created a lot of danger. What will you do next?
Coach Tsutomu Ogura: We always feel pressure, even when playing at home. In Vietnam, people are very interested in football and that is why Vietnamese football develops.
When I was in Japan, I watched the Vietnamese national team and the youth teams develop thanks to the attention of the media and fans. This is important. Hopefully in Singapore, the fans will also pay the same attention and tomorrow's match is a good opportunity for us.
Reporter: At the press conference before the first leg, you said Singapore would control Xuan Son, but in the end, this striker still created a lot of danger. What will you do next?
Coach Tsutomu Ogura: I think Xuan Son only had a few clear chances in that match. I don't care about a specific individual in a team, all Vietnamese players have potential. I don't just care about neutralizing one player but have to focus on the whole team. Facing Vietnam is very difficult but we have prepared for that.
Reporter: In the Singapore squad, there are some players over 30 years old and this year's ASEAN Cup could be the last tournament. Will you give them a chance in the next match?
Coach Tsutomu Ogura: I don't care too much about age, all current players have the same energy. We are not here to visit Vietnam. The experienced players will share with the young players, guide the juniors and hope to show their skills in the next match.
Reporter: What has the Singapore team prepared for the match against Vietnam tomorrow?
Coach Tsutomu Ogura: The Singapore team only has one day of training to prepare for the second leg of the semi-finals. We traveled to Hanoi yesterday. Today the team will have an official training session. Hopefully tomorrow's match will be a good match.
Player Kyoga Nakamura: As the coach said, the tournament has a tight schedule, we can only practice hard. Hopefully the whole team will perform as well as possible in tomorrow's match. I watched the first leg of the semi-final from the sidelines.
Vietnam have strengths and weaknesses and there are some things I can change when playing tomorrow. Of course we are not happy with losing the first leg. However, the good thing is that there are players who have positive energy to change that result.
11:00: Coach Tsutomu Ogura (Singapore) answers the press.
10:30: On the Singapore side, coach Tsutomu Ogura and player Kyoga Nakamura will attend a press conference. Meanwhile, coach Kim Sang-sik will hold a press conference with center back Do Duy Manh.
Pre-press conference information
At 11:00 a.m. today (December 28), coach Kim Sang-sik of the Vietnam team and Tsutomu Ogura of the Singapore team will attend a press conference before the second leg of the 2024 ASEAN Cup semi-final.
Vietnam is holding the advantage after winning 2-0 against their opponents in the second leg of the semi-final at Jalan Besar Stadium on December 26. Nguyen Tien Linh and Nguyen Xuan Son were the ones who scored for the “Golden Star Warriors”.
Returning to Viet Tri Stadium (Phu Tho), the Vietnamese team had the support of 20,000 home fans. This was the motivation for coach Kim Sang-sik and his team to continue fighting and bring about favorable results.
However, the Vietnamese team needs to improve their playing style and the smooth coordination of the players. After 5 matches, Quang Hai and his teammates still could not score in the first half. It was not until the second half or the last minutes of extra time that the "Golden Star Warriors" could resolve the match.
In the first leg, the Singapore team showed disciplined play and tight defense. Xuan Son was always surrounded in every situation with the ball. When the striker born in 1997 was marked too closely and had no chance, it led to a deadlock for the Vietnamese team. This is also the problem that Mr. Kim Sang-sik needs to find a solution for his team.
Regarding the force, the Vietnamese team is likely to continue without the service of Bui Hoang Viet Anh. Otherwise, the squad still ensures the best personnel, especially when Thanh Chung is not "suspended" (new rules remove yellow cards in the group stage).
