Coach Kim Sang Sik: "I bet my career on AFF Cup 2024"

(Dan Tri) - The Vietnamese team defeated Singapore 3-1 at Viet Tri Stadium ( Phu Tho ) in the second leg of the semi-finals on the evening of December 29 and officially entered the final of the AFF Cup 2024. After the match, coach Kim Sang Sik was satisfied with his players.

Xuan Son, Tien Linh shine, Vietnam team enters the final of AFF Cup 2024

Appearing at the press conference after the match, coach Kim Sang Sik shared: "I am very happy that the Vietnamese team has reached the final, I think this is the result of the enthusiastic support from the fans. The players have worked hard, sweated and dedicated themselves after the past 6 matches.

We reached the final, but the clock of the Vietnamese team never stops. I will try, bet my whole football career on this Southeast Asian tournament."

HLV Kim Sang Sik: Tôi đánh cược sự nghiệp của mình ở AFF Cup 2024 - 1 — Coach Kim Sang Sik highly appreciated the efforts of the Vietnamese players (Photo: Do Minh Quan).

Regarding Ho Tan Tai's injury, coach Kim Sang Sik said: "We will have to wait until tomorrow to determine the severity of Ho Tan Tai's injury. He or any other player is important and necessary. I hope Tan Tai's injury is only minor and he will play in the final."

When asked about the Vietnamese team's constant rotation of the squad in 6 matches, the Korean strategist explained: "This is the most difficult point when being a coach, all the players performed well.

In the process of arranging to try to choose 11 people and optimize the advantages of the whole team, I did not let Tuan Hai play much. In the last two matches, as usual, I will analyze the opponent and if suitable, I also hope to be able to put Tuan Hai on the field."

"Today was the first time we scored in the first half and I was very pleased. The players were a bit nervous in the first half but the goal made the whole team play better in the second half. After 6 matches, we have only conceded 3 goals, thanks to the players' great efforts we achieved today's result.

Regarding the preparation for the final, we still need to follow the second leg of the semi-final between Thailand and the Philippines. I also have my own plans. If the players continue to perform as well as they are now and have thorough preparation, we can advance to the championship," Coach Kim Sang Sik is confident in the level of his students.

Regarding the opponent in the final match, coach Kim Sang Sik stated his opinion: "I don't have the right to choose. No matter which team makes it to the final, we will still prepare according to plan, analyze them carefully and play according to the predetermined style, to try to win the championship."

HLV Kim Sang Sik: Tôi đánh cược sự nghiệp của mình ở AFF Cup 2024 - 2 — Coach Kim Sang Sik answered the press conference on the evening of December 29 (Photo: Manh Quan).

After a 2-0 victory in the first leg, the Vietnamese team was in a good mood when they hosted Singapore in the second leg of the AFF Cup 2024 semi-finals at Viet Tri Stadium (Phu Tho). The away team played with determination at the beginning of the match and Anuar put the ball into Dinh Trieu's net in the 11th minute, but the referee blew the whistle for offside after checking VAR technology.

The highlight of the match came in the 39th minute, Xuan Son was pulled down in the Singapore penalty area while Hai Long took a free kick. The Uzbek referee, after reviewing VAR, blew the whistle for a penalty and Xuan Son calmly opened the scoring.

In the second half, the Vietnamese team played slowly but sharply. In the 63rd minute, Hoang Duc crossed for Xuan Son to tap the ball into the net, doubling the gap to 2-0. 10 minutes later, Nakamura fired a long shot from outside the penalty area, reducing the score to 1-2 for the Singapore team.

In the final minute of the match, Tien Linh successfully converted the penalty, sealing a 3-1 victory for coach Kim Sang Sik's team in the second leg. The Vietnamese team won 5-1 overall after two semi-final matches and advanced to the final of the AFF Cup 2024.

The Vietnamese team will play the first leg of the final at Viet Tri Stadium on January 2 and the second leg will take place on January 5, against the winner of the Thailand - Philippines match. Coach Kim Sang Sik will have many worries when Van Thanh and Tan Tai are injured and Bui Tien Dung, Xuan Son and Dinh Trieu received unfortunate yellow cards at the end of the match against Singapore on December 29.