Coach Kim Sang-sik: Tien Linh will replace Xuan Son

" Nguyen Xuan Son is recovering well. The players, coaching staff, and fans are always looking forward to his return. Tomorrow, Nguyen Tien Linh will replace Xuan Son. I have great confidence in him ," coach Kim Sang-sik said at a press conference before the match between Vietnam and Laos.

The Vietnamese team will face the Lao team on March 25 in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. Coach Kim Sang-sik and his team will face difficulties without the services of Nguyen Xuan Son in attack. This striker was seriously injured in the 2024 AFF Cup final. Tien Linh is the most likely player to replace Xuan Son.

Coach Kim Sang-sik believes Tien Linh can replace Xuan Son.

Evaluating the team, Mr. Kim said: " We are playing at home. The players and I are well prepared, hopefully tomorrow the team will score many goals and contribute a good match.

The players are performing well in both strategy and training. If I were to give them a score, I would give them 90/100. This is an official qualifying match, and they need to overcome physical and mental challenges to advance. If they improve in both aspects, the Vietnamese team will be able to demonstrate their abilities and perform well ."

The Korean coach analyzed the match between Laos and Sri Lanka. The Laos team has 3 more naturalized players and the Vietnamese team knows the information well. The Laos team is stronger with naturalized players and this is a challenge for the home team. Mr. Kim hopes his students will score many goals right from the first half.

Meanwhile, striker Nguyen Tien Linh said: " The whole team is in good spirits and in good physical condition to enter the first match. The Vietnamese team is preparing the best to have a good start. Hopefully the team will have a victory to give to the fans.

My health is stable and I am 100% fit and in good spirits for tomorrow's match. The team's goal is to win at home ."

Mai Phuong

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/hlv-kim-sang-sik-tien-linh-se-thay-the-xuan-son-ar933502.html