Coach Kim is especially worried about a 'weapon' of Singapore, wants Vietnam to win the AFF Cup

Coach Kim Sang-sik has studied Singapore's playing style.

The Vietnamese team will face Singapore in the first leg of the AFF Cup 2024 semi-finals, taking place at 8pm tomorrow, December 26. Coach Kim Sang-sik's team has a 25-year streak of not losing to Singapore in all competitions. With the advantage of strength and class difference, Mr. Kim sets a goal of victory for his students.

"I am very happy to be here. The Vietnamese team is ready to fight for victory tomorrow," coach Kim Sang-sik affirmed at the press conference before the match.

Singapore finished second in Group A with 7 points. Coach Tsutomu Ogura's team beat Cambodia (2-1) and Timor Leste (3-0), drew with Malaysia (0-0) and lost to Thailand (2-4). This is only the second time Singapore has reached the AFF Cup semi-finals in the past 12 years, but coach Kim Sang-sik remains cautious.

Coach Kim Sang-sik respects Singapore opponent

"Singapore is a strong team. My colleagues and I have watched them play live on the field and on television. We have also dissected and analyzed Singapore through two meetings. The coaching staff and players have discussed tactics during the match, including when to apply high pressure. Everyone is ready. We will also have an official training session to complete all stages before entering the match," coach Kim Sang-sik analyzed.

Comments before the Singapore - Vietnam match: Will Xuan Son continue to shine?

Besides regretting the absence of Van Toan (injured), coach Kim Sang-sik confirmed that he is worried about Singapore striker Shawal Anuar. The striker, who plays for Lion City Sailors, has scored against 3 opponents in the AFF Cup group stage and is leading the list of top scorers.

"I have paid attention to Anuar, the player leading the scoring list at this AFF Cup. I have analyzed this player quite a lot, from his movements to his finishing. Singapore itself also has other formidable attacking options. I told myself to be careful against Singapore. Hopefully we will have a good result against this opponent tomorrow," coach Kim Sang-sik analyzed his opponent.

While Singapore relies on Shawal Anuar, the Vietnamese team also has Nguyen Xuan Son to look forward to. In his debut match, Xuan Son scored 2 goals and assisted 2 goals, helping the Vietnamese team win 5-0 against Myanmar.

Coach Kim Sang-sik and Hoang Duc answer the press

"With his impressive performance against Myanmar, Xuan Son received a lot of attention from the media and fans both at home and abroad. Xuan Son will try his best to not disappoint the trust and love of the fans. Of course, there is a lot of pressure. However, I believe that he is the type of player who is capable of overcoming pressure and not retreating in the face of difficulties. The Vietnamese team will overcome the pressure together as a unified entity," Mr. Kim added.

AFF Cup championship goal

According to the former coach of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, the ultimate goal of the Vietnamese team is to win the AFF Cup 2024. In history, Vietnamese football has only won the Southeast Asian tournament twice, in 2008 and 2018 respectively. The last time the Vietnamese team won the AFF Cup was 6 years ago.

"I am trying my best to win the title. First of all, I emphasize that all the teams that have reached the semi-finals have a tight and difficult schedule. The schedule has been discussed by many coaches. As for me, this is my first major tournament with the Vietnamese team. Therefore, difficulties are inevitable.

With the goal of the Vietnamese team, first of all, we must win in the semi-finals against Singapore. That is the first goal. After that, the long-term goal is to win the championship. The last time Vietnam won the AFF Cup was in 2018, 6 years ago, I want to recreate history with my students," coach Kim Sang-sik told the press.

Only about 70 Vietnamese fans were allowed into Jalan Besar Stadium to watch the match tomorrow night (December 26). However, Mr. Kim said that the Vietnamese team always tries their best for the fans, considering the audience as a motivation to try to win.

"The whole team always knows that Vietnamese fans have a lot of love for us. Therefore, I believe that this encouragement and love will help the players to fight and win. Even though there won't be many fans at the stadium tomorrow, our players will still try their best for the fans, and at the same time, thanks to the love from fans from afar, we will gain more strength to win tomorrow," concluded coach Kim Sang-sik.

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Source: https://thanhnien.vn/hlv-kim-dac-biet-lo-ngai-1-vu-khi-cua-singapore-muon-viet-nam-vo-dich-aff-cup-185241221182523301.htm