'We will get a good result against India'

Coach Kim Sang-sik: We must strive for good results.

The Vietnamese national team will face India in a match taking place at 6 PM on October 12th at Thien Truong Stadium. This will be the final match for coach Kim Sang-sik's team before the 2024 AFF Cup.

Despite not having good results recently, suffering 3 defeats in their last 5 matches, coach Kim Sang-sik remains confident that his players will improve.

Coach Kim Sang-sik

“The Vietnamese team has conceded at least two goals in each of their last six matches. In the match against India, we didn't make many changes to our defense. However, if the whole team plays as a united unit, we will achieve a positive result. With what I'm doing with the Vietnamese team, we will get a good result against India,” coach Kim Sang-sik affirmed.

The 3-2 victory against Nam Dinh FC in the friendly match on October 9th helped coach Kim Sang-sik break a streak of three consecutive losses, thus relieving some of the pressure. However, to achieve the goal of reaching the final of the 2024 AFF Cup, the South Korean coach still has much work to do.

He shared: "Actually, I'm not too worried, as the match against India is also the last competition before the AFF Cup. Over the past period, the players have been in good physical condition and have prepared thoroughly for this important tournament. I believe the Vietnamese team will achieve a good result."

The Vietnamese national team defeated India in their last encounter at Thong Nhat Stadium in September 2022. The 3-0 victory over India secured the championship title for Coach Park Hang-seo's team at the international friendly tournament in Ho Chi Minh City.

Coach Kim Sang-sik and his team are rushing to prepare for their final friendly match before the AFF Cup.

After two years, the Vietnamese national team is experiencing a dip in form, having lost 10 of their last 13 matches. Nguyen Quang Hai and his teammates were eliminated from the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, finishing third in a group that included Iraq, Indonesia, and the Philippines. India also failed to advance to the third round, finishing behind Qatar and Kuwait.

Tien Linh and Viet Anh may be able to play.

Both key players Nguyen Tien Linh and Bui Hoang Viet Anh are training separately and will be unable to participate in the friendly match against Nam Dinh due to injuries.

While Tien Linh was having back problems, Viet Anh suffered a recurrence of his knee pain (which he had experienced at the end of September), right after returning to play for Hanoi Police FC in their 1-0 victory against Binh Duong.

However, coach Kim Sang-sik emphasized: "Tien Linh and Viet Anh have some injury issues, but even though they cannot participate in 100% of the training program with the rest of the team, that will not affect their performance in the match against India."

Tien Linh could return.

The Vietnamese national team has nine young players in the October training camp, including Nguyen Van Viet, Tran Trung Kien, Giap Tuan Duong, Nguyen Dinh Bac, Nguyen Van Truong, Bui Vi Hao, Khuat Van Khang, Nguyen Thai Son, and Nguyen Quoc Viet. Coach Kim Sang-sik also called back veterans, such as midfielder Nguyen Van Quyet.

According to Mr. Kim, the young players and veterans are connecting well. “I’ve watched the players’ performances in many matches and realized the Vietnamese team needs new energy. The good news is that experienced players like Van Quyet and younger players like Dinh Bac are connecting well with the whole team. I believe this bond will become even stronger in the future.”

The South Korean strategist added: “Tomorrow, we will be playing at home at Thien Truong Stadium. I hope that the fans will come to the stadium in large numbers and that the Vietnamese team will strive to deliver the best possible match. I am doing everything I can to create motivation for the players. Hopefully, the whole team will bring joy to the fans.”

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/hlv-kim-sang-sik-nhan-manh-3-lan-se-gianh-ket-qua-tot-truoc-an-do-185241011162405464.htm