Thai newspapers are extremely worried when mentioning Xuan Son and Hoang Duc, but still…

According to Thairath Sport, the Thai national team will field their best available lineup in hopes of overturning their 1-2 defeat against Vietnam in the second leg of the 2024 AFF Cup final on the evening of January 5th.

Thailand's midfield lineup is in fluctuation.

"The Thai team has two players sidelined due to injury: midfielder Akarapong Pumwisat (ankle) and striker Teerasak Poeiphimai (hamstring injury, out for at least two months). Otherwise, no one is suspended. Players who didn't play in the first leg, such as center-back Jonathan Khemdee, are in good form. Coach Masatada Ishii will have enough players to field his best team against Vietnam," reported Thairath Sport.

Nguyen Xuan Son is a player that the Thai national team should pay special attention to.

Photo: Ngoc Linh

According to Thairath Sport , the Thai team is expected to play with a 4-2-3-1 formation based on observations from the first leg of the final and just one training session before the second leg on January 4th. The newspaper also noted that the Thai team's physical condition might be affected as they took almost a day to return home after the first leg, while the Vietnamese team arrived early on the morning of January 3rd.

Accordingly, unless there are any changes or other bold intentions from coach Masatada Ishii, the Thai team will start with goalkeeper Patiwat Khammai, who made 7 spectacular saves in the first leg. In defense, Jonatharn Khemdee will return to partner Pansa Hemwiboon in central defense, while Chalermsak Aukkee, the goalscorer who gave Thailand hope in the first leg, will be on the bench.

Central defender Chalermsak Aukkee made numerous defensive errors, failing to command his teammates under pressure from the Vietnamese team in the first leg. Although he scored a beautiful header in the 83rd minute to reduce the deficit to 1-2, the 30-year-old defender was heavily criticized by the Thai press for being the cause of two goals conceded, allowing Vietnam's top scorer, Nguyen Xuan Son, who scored two goals in the first leg of the final, to get past him.

Chalermsak Aukkee (5) had a very tough match against the Vietnamese players.

Photo: Minh Hoang

On the flanks, Thairath Sport predicts that coach Masatada Ishii will use defenders Suphanan Burirat and Nicholas Mickelson, as in the first leg, because there aren't many better options. In particular, Nicholas Mickelson often makes mistakes due to his slow reaction time, which could be exploited by the Vietnamese players to attack.

In midfield, Peeradon Chamratsamee (captain) is likely to return to the starting lineup after being a substitute in the first leg. He will play alongside Weerathep Pomphan, firmly anchoring the midfield area, where the Thai team faced immense pressure in the first leg against Vietnamese midfielders such as Doan Ngoc Tan and Nguyen Hoang Duc.

This change is partly due to midfielder Akarapong Pumwisat being unable to play because of an ankle injury sustained while attempting to block a powerful shot from Nguyen Xuan Son in the first leg.

In attack, the trio of Suphanat Mueanta, Ben Davis, and Supachok Sarachat will start, while Ekanit Panya will be on the bench. Striker Patrik Gustavsson will play furthest forward and be responsible for creating scoring opportunities for the Thai national team.

Besides Nguyen Xuan Son, the Vietnamese team also has Quang Hai and Tien Linh.

According to Thairath Sport , the Vietnamese national team is forming its best possible lineup with goalkeeper Nguyen Dinh Trieu, and a defense featuring new but very solid and stable players such as defenders Nguyen Thanh Chung and Pham Xuan Manh.

In midfield, Nguyen Hoang Duc is a quiet player, but he gets better and better with each game, ready to explode at any moment. The newspaper also noted that midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai and striker Nguyen Tien Linh are experienced players, the kind of players who can change the course of a match in an instant.

"Of course, we can't forget to mention Vietnam's naturalized striker, Nguyen Xuan Son, who has tormented the Thai national team's defense, currently having 7 goals and 2 assists in just 4 appearances for his second home country. If we could say who is the most dangerous player and could threaten Thailand's ambitions to win the 2024 AFF Cup, it would have to be Nguyen Xuan Son," Thairath Sport stated.

Nguyen Hoang Duc (right)

Photo: Ngoc Linh

Nevertheless, Thairath Sport hopes that the Thai team, playing at home, will capitalize on their advantage and determination to change the course of the game, winning 2-0, enough to secure the championship. Meanwhile, Siamsport predicts a 3-1 victory for Thailand, with Nguyen Xuan Son scoring a goal to narrow the gap for Vietnam.

Tickets for the second leg of the 2024 AFF Cup final between Thailand and Vietnam, scheduled for 8 PM on January 5th at the Rajamangala Stadium, are sold out. Vietnam won the first leg 2-1. If Thailand wins, it will be their eighth AFF Cup title and their third consecutive. Meanwhile, if Vietnam wins, it will be their third title after their previous victories in 2008 and 2018.

Thanhnien.vn

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bao-thai-lan-au-lo-tot-do-khi-nhac-den-xuan-son-va-hoang-duc-nhung-van-185250105092832563.htm