PRE-MATCH COMMENTARY
According to Transfermarkt, the value of the Vietnamese team’s squad in the AFF Cup 2024 is 7.25 million euros, the second highest in the tournament (after Thailand – 7.35 million euros). Meanwhile, the Laos team ranked penultimate with a squad value of only 2 million euros, a rather modest number. This partly shows the big difference between the two teams.
In terms of head-to-head performance, the Vietnamese team is also completely superior. In history, the two teams have met each other 13 times, the Laos team has not won any match, drawn one match and lost 12 matches. In the last 10 matches, “Golden Star Warriors” did not even concede once.
In addition, the Vietnamese team is also preparing very well. During the training trip in Korea, coach Kim Sang-sik’s students had 3 victories. This strategist also affirmed: “The Vietnamese team has harvested many positive signals in terms of tactics and personnel.” The determination of “Golden Star Warriors” is also very high. After a series of 4 matches without a victory (excluding practice matches), Duy Manh and his teammates are desperate to have 3 points to give to the fans as well as regain confidence to look forward to difficult matches. next.
Coach Kim Sang-sik may “hide his cards” and use some new factors in the match against the Laos team.
Those are the grounds to believe that the Vietnamese team can easily defeat Laos in the upcoming match, if they play properly. The important thing is whether coach Kim Sang-sik will launch a squad with many new elements to “hide his cards” before the match against the Indonesian team.
However, the Vietnamese team cannot be subjective. Coach Ha Hyeok-jun of the Laos team is a capable person who used to work in the K-League and recently held the Thai team to a 1-1 draw with his students. The tactical diagram that coach Ha Hyeok-jun is using is also a 3-center-back diagram, similar to the Vietnamese team. Therefore, this strategist will definitely know the strengths and weaknesses of coach Kim Sang-sik and his team.
The captain of the Vietnamese team also appeared quite cautious: “The Laos team has talented players who are getting stronger every day with the Korean coaching staff. I know coach Ha Hyeok-jun, we met in K-League. He is helping the Lao team develop well. I understand his style, he always goes into details.”
