The Vietnam team has completed the goal set by the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) when participating in the 2024 Southeast Asian Championship (ASEAN Cup), which is to win the right to play in the final match.
Throughout the group stage to the semi-finals, coach Kim Sang-sik's students showed a positive face, playing more methodically than in the previous stage, especially the highlight coming from naturalized striker Nguyen Xuan Son.
However, the biggest concern of the Korean coach at present is probably the personnel aspect as the players' physical condition is having problems during the tournament.
Just counting the second leg of the semi-final against Singapore at Viet Tri Stadium, Van Thanh, Xuan Manh and Tan Tai left the field due to injuries, but Van Thanh and Xuan Manh were determined to only have muscle strains and minor pain.
Meanwhile, Ho Tan Tai suffered a contusion of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. He did not require surgery but is expected to need 6-8 weeks of treatment to recover. This means that the defender of the Hanoi Police team will not be able to participate in the upcoming 2 final matches with the Vietnamese team.
Previously, striker Nguyen Van Toan also said goodbye to the ASEAN Cup 2024 journey early due to a contusion injury to the lateral ligament of his right knee in the final match of the group stage against Myanmar and needs at least 4 weeks to recover.
During the training sessions at the tournament, some players such as Hai Long, Quang Hai or Bui Hoang Viet Anh had a slight pain and had to practice separately, but they were able to return in time without any serious problems.
Explaining the above injuries, speaking with Lao Dong, Mr. Tran Anh Tuan - former doctor of the Vietnam team said: "ASEAN Cup 2024 witnessed a dense competition schedule for the teams. This will somewhat affect the physical strength of the players. They will not recover in time.
For players to recover their best physical condition after a match, they will need about 4 days. But the schedule has been set, the coaching staff will need to have methods to overcome it, such as using relaxation exercises and nutritional regimen.
But in my opinion, the above injuries of the national team are mostly due to accidents. The tight match schedule that overloads them is only part of the reason. International players also often face this situation."
In the context of the force being affected, coach Kim Sang-sik must have careful calculations to compensate for the loss, especially the full-back position, to best prepare for the two upcoming final matches.
Vietnam's opponent in the final match is the winner of the remaining semi-final match between Thailand and the Philippines.
According to the format, the final will be played over two legs. The Vietnamese team will play the first leg at home at 8:00 p.m. on January 2, 2025 at Viet Tri Stadium (Phu Tho), then play the second leg away on January 5, 2025.
