Thai media: ‘Xuan Son tormented our defense, Vietnam won convincingly’

Reasonable tactics, convincing victory of the Vietnamese team

As a guest at Viet Tri Stadium (Phu Tho), Thailand did not play well in the first half. The “War Elephants” held the ball more than 60% but let the Vietnamese team shoot 10 times. Fortunately for Thailand, they ended the match with a 0-0 draw when Xuan Son or Vi Hao still did not have the necessary accuracy. However, under the pressure of the Vietnamese team in the second half, Thailand’s net shook in the 59th minute. Starting from Quang Hai’s beautiful opening, Van Thanh headed the ball for Xuan Son to open. score. It didn’t stop there, in the 73rd minute, Xuan Son continued to prove his class with a solo play on the left wing, increasing the score to 2-0. It was not until the 83rd minute that Chalermsak Aukkee scored, helping Thailand score an honorable goal.

After a 1-2 defeat in Vietnam, newspaper Siamsportcommented: “In 90 minutes at Viet Tri Stadium, the Vietnamese team played more impressively. Mr. Kim Sang-sik’s team has a reasonable defensive counter-attack strategy and has many opportunities to score goals. The 2-1 home win was deserved by the Vietnamese team. Thailand failed to catch up with Vietnam in the first leg and now we only have to rely on the players’ bravery in the second leg, which will take place at Rajamangala Stadium 3 days later.”

Journalists of the newspaper Siamsport give special praise to Xuan Son’s excellence. At the same time, the Thai newspaper said that coach Masatada Ishii’s defense played like “clowns” despite being warned in advance.

“The Vietnamese team is excellent at home, but we must admit that Xuan Son is a big difference. Throughout the match, he proved that it is not a coincidence that the teams that meet the current Vietnamese team must pay attention to him.

In addition to 2 classy goals, Xuan Son proved his value with effective wall-building and pressure moves. Especially in the first half, coach Masatada Ishii’s defense had a hard time marking Xuan Son. Nicholas Mickelson and captain Pansa Hemviboon were tormented by Xuan Son, almost losing in duels. It can be said that the Thai team’s defense suffered a big “trick” from Xuan Son”, newspaper Siamsportanalysis.

The weakness in the semi-finals was exploited again

Meanwhile, sheet Thai Rathalso assessed that the Vietnamese team had a convincing victory at home. However, the Thai newspaper questioned the players selected by coach Masatada Ishii in the first leg of the final.

Sheet Thai Rath wrote: “When looking at Thailand’s starting lineup in the first leg of the final in Vietnam, we can only say two words: Stunned! Throughout the first half, Thailand held the ball but their forte combinations almost disappeared. The Vietnamese team even pushed the team closer many times and stole the ball because the Thai players were confused in their home field. At the AFF Cup 2024, this is the first time Thailand has played under such great pressure and it seems they have not had time to adapt. If Xuan Son or Vi Hao or Chau Ngoc Quang had been more decisive, the Thai team’s net would have shaken early.”

The Thai newspaper continued to analyze the two goals lost to the Vietnamese team: “The two goals lost in the second half also came from the fatal weaknesses that Thailand had. In the first goal, the Thai defender Almost left behind because the opposing player dropped the ball behind their back. By the second goal, the Thai center-back pair did not play much with each other, lacked chemistry and were easily left behind by Xuan Son made too many mistakes in the semi-finals and was punished But over the past few days the problem has not been resolved.”

“Fortunately for Thailand, when Suphanat Mueanta, Supachok or Weerathep Pomphan came on the field and played hard, we got an honorable goal. Even though we couldn’t equalize, this can be considered hope for Thailand in the match. return trip”, sheet Thai Rath expressed.