Vietnam – Indonesia AFF Cup 2022 quarter final – the showdown of Korean coaches

It is not enough to say that the dream of once again surpassing the predestined opponent (Indonesia) of the Vietnamese team who have never defeated Indonesia in the past 26 years at the AFF Cup playground. In addition, it will also be a showdown of the two Korean coaches who have been leading the two teams for many years. Who, Coach Park Hang-seo or Coach Shin Tae-yong, will be the winner?

The Vietnamese line-up is aiming for a beneficial result against Indonesia in the AFF Cup 2022 semi-final. Photo: Anh Khoa

In the history of the tournament, the Vietnamese team only defeated Indonesia once 1-0 at the AFF Cup 1996. After that victory, the two teams faced 8 more times and the team from the origin country of thousands of islands have 3 times defeated the Vietnamese squad; and 5 times the two teams have shared the points in draw matches. Even in its heyday, the Vietnamese team beat Indonesia 4-0 in the second qualifying round of the 2022 World Cup, but could not defeat a predestined opponent at the AFF Cup 2020 playground. Indonesia is said to be the "killer" of the "golden star warriors".

At the present time, the Vietnamese team owns the players who are said to be the 3rd golden generation of football in Vietnam. Meanwhile, Indonesia is in the process of rejuvenating its force. If Mr. Park builds up an attractive game based on the good technical background of Vietnamese players, coach Shin Tae-yong on the other side of the front line, would not do the same. On the field, the Indonesian players are still ready to make fouls with the opponent, regardless of who they are.

Outside the field, the country's fans are still ready to capture the mentality of the opponent. The image of the glass of the car carrying the Thai team being smashed by them is the clearest proof. That's also why FIFA had to send their best match supervisor to monitor the situation. Even VFF had to send a telegram to the Vietnamese embassy in Indonesia to ask for intervention and ensure the safety of coach Park Hang-seo and his squad during their training and competition in Indonesia.

The pressure for coach Park Hang-seo and his squad is great. So, in addition to the battle on the field of the players, it is also the ultimate heroic performance of the two Korean strategists of the two teams. The tactical calculations, the use of personnel and adjustments during the 90 minutes will determine who is the better. Not only is the victory, it is also a great advantage in the second leg position. And of course, the Vietnamese team wants to gain the advantage on returning home on January 9 to play the second leg semi-final. The match between the two teams will start at 16:30 on January 6, which is 3 hours earlier than the original scheduled time to ensure the safety of the Vietnamese team.

Reported by Thai Hai – Translated by Vi Bao