Malaysian coach: 'Vietnam is not weaker after Mr. Park's time'

On June 10, the Vietnamese team will have a crucial away match against Malaysia, within the framework of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. To open the door to the next round, coach Kim Sang-sik and his team must achieve a favorable result in the "final" match of Group F.

Similar to many teams in the region, Malaysia also increases naturalization with the ambition to raise the level of the team. Responding to Tri Thuc - Znews , Coach Tan Cheng Hoe considers this an important move if a team wants to create a strong and talented team.

Coach Tan Cheng Hoe is leading Police Tero in the Thai League. Photo: FAM

The role of naturalized players

- What do you think about the current naturalization policies in football?

- It has developed very quickly. Many countries want to improve their performance in football, so these things are becoming normal. Most federations or countries are trying to find naturalized players to help improve their performance, improve their team's ranking. I think that is a positive thing in football.

- What value does a naturalized player bring to a national team?

- In Southeast Asia, many countries have started to bring in many new naturalized players. This certainly has a positive impact on the national team, helping to increase the team's motivation and improve their performance.

- Recently, Indonesia has had many naturalized players, which has really pushed the team forward. They are in the third round of World Cup qualifiers. Countries like Vietnam, Thailand and even the Philippines are also gradually having more naturalized players.

Indonesia advances to the final qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup with a squad of naturalized players. Photo: PSSI

- What are the challenges of naturalized players?

- They must have good quality and at the same time love to play for whichever country they represent. Sometimes native players can also learn how to react like a professional player from naturalized players, especially when playing big matches.

- Is naturalization the best strategy for a team to improve its level?

- I can't say it's good for football in the long run. But at the moment, proper naturalization will boost national team rankings, improve performances and increase fan support for the national team. We can all see the benefits of the recent mass naturalization of countries.

Besides, the Federations also need to focus on the youth or grassroots level, because that is the future of the national team. We cannot forget that domestically trained players are really important for any country.

Vietnam team is not weak

- You have many memories of leading the Malaysian teams against Vietnam. Please share more about these clashes.

- We want to get a positive result against Vietnam because this is a very important match. We are also playing at home. Malaysia wants to make the most of this opportunity. I think coach Peter Cklamovski has prepared well.

The players are also motivated and talented enough to perform well this time. My previous encounters with Vietnamese teams are all in the past. I think Vietnam will definitely come to Malaysia with a good strategy and preparation.

- Which Vietnamese player impressed you the most?

- I still remember some good players, especially Quang Hai who was really excellent. I think coach Park Hang-seo also did a great job. In just a few years, he brought something new to Vietnamese football. I could see a different way of playing football, really flexible, tough and strong both in attack and defense.

- What is your assessment of the performance of the Vietnam team at the ASEAN Cup 2024?

- I see that you play very good football, very disciplined and have a strong enough motivation. It seems that the current coach's playing style is almost like coach Park's. Of course, each coach has a different approach. Vietnam's playing style is still the same, you maintain a good tempo and intensity in the tournament, not weaker after coach Park's time.

Xuan Son shines in his first tournament with the Vietnamese team. Photo: Minh Chien

- Vietnam has a naturalized player from Brazil, Nguyen Xuan Son, but unfortunately he suffered a serious injury. What do you think about this striker?

- Xuan Son impressed me as a striker. I think the team will definitely miss him. But I am sure the coach has a strategy to play against Malaysia. Similarly, the Malaysian coach also knows about the players who have just been called up to the Vietnam team.

- What do you expect when Malaysia faces Vietnam?

- I want Malaysia to get a positive result or even win against Vietnam after a long time without a good result. I believe the head coach and his assistants will do well too. They are working very hard and so are the players, they are really focused on this match. I am sure Vietnam will want to stop Malaysia from winning this match.

Thank you for this conversation.

Close-up of the $50 million stadium of Southeast Asia's richest club JDT's Sultan Ibrahim Stadium is considered one of the most modern football stadiums in Malaysia and Southeast Asia.

Source: https://znews.vn/hlv-malaysia-viet-nam-khong-yeu-di-sau-thoi-ong-park-post1555809.html