Doan Ngoc Tan's header helped Vietnam earn a valuable 1-1 draw against the Philippines (December 18). Coach Kim Sang-sik's team earned 7 points after 3 matches, 3 points more than the teams behind, Indonesia and Myanmar.
Based on the current situation, Quang Hai and his teammates only need a draw against Myanmar in the final match to be able to continue as the top team in Group B.
In recent days, some fans have said that if you want to win the championship, you have to beat any opponent. This statement is correct but not enough.
Imagine the scenario where the Vietnamese team wins against Thailand in the semi-finals but is physically exhausted, loses many key players due to injuries or penalties, then loses in the final against a weaker opponent, which is even more bitter...
Sharing with Lao Dong, former Vietnamese player Nguyen Tuan Phong said: "I think that the Vietnamese team will most likely win the top spot in the group, then they will avoid Thailand. Coach Kim Sang-sik and his team must reach the final.
If we meet Thailand in the semi-finals, there will be more risks. Therefore, avoiding this opponent is a good thing, not a bad thing. Meanwhile, the Vietnamese team will have an advantage when meeting other teams in Group A, such as Singapore or Malaysia, because they are not really stable and different.
Vietnam still has the right to decide its own fate. Winning against Myanmar is not too difficult, a draw is enough to qualify for the next round as group leader. Perhaps, Vietnam will wait to meet Cambodia, Singapore or Malaysia and then dream of the final against Thailand.
“The draw with the Philippines is not too bad because the Vietnamese team actually has many changes. Coach Kim Sang-sik chose to win at home to boost his mentality and spirit before the semi-finals. We will soon have Nguyen Xuan Son in the attack. The Vietnamese team has not played well, but with this striker, it will be very different,” said Mr. Phong.
Once again, it is important to affirm that planning for the long haul of a tough tournament like the ASEAN Cup is not a bad thing. If a coach accurately assesses the situation, that team can win the championship even if it is not certain that it plays better than its opponent.
After all, the Korean coach is the one who bears the highest responsibility for the national team's performance. He could even lose his job and his reputation if the Vietnamese team encounters an "accident" in the semi-finals.
Therefore, what the Vietnamese team needs most is a title, not the spirit of "must win against everyone".
