Mano polking

"I hate defeat. But Vietnam were strong and they had the support of 40,000 fans. They defended well, played long balls and were patient. They also scored a great goal. Thailand also played well. We created many chances but couldn’t score. That’s football," Polking said. He added: "Vietnam got to play at home, they had three months of training with specific strategies. They had better possession and knew how to convert chances. The beautiful goal by Nham Manh Dung is proof that they deserve to be champions." Thailand’s attacking power was considered the strongest in SEA Games as they scored 13 goals before the final. However, they approached the first half differently, compared to other games. "Actually, Thailand’s playing style was still the same. When we played Indonesia, we didn’t need too much pressing, since the opponent didn’t know how to distribute the ball. We tried to press Vietnam but it’s hard to succeed because they have quite a solid defense. I told the players to be … [Read more...] about Vietnam deserve SEA Games gold: Thai coach

Anh Đức NAM ĐỊNH — In a surprising twist on the final day of Group B in the SEA Games 31 men's football tournament, Cambodia held Malaysia to a 2-2 draw, and Thailand capitalised by winning against Laos to top the group. In Thiên Trường Stadium, Malaysia, assured of a place in the semi-finals, rested many key players for their last match against Cambodia. Keisuke Honda's side, which usually goes all-out attack no matter what were transformed into a defensive team with five at the back. Malaysia had 29 shots on target, almost ten times higher than the Angkor Warriors, but the Cambodians scored the opening goal. In the last minute of the first half, Malaysian defender Quentin Cheng handled the ball inside the box, and the referee quickly pointed to the spot. Choun Chanchav stepped up and hit a rocket into the top left corner of Azri Ghani's goal. Malaysia pushed for the equaliser early in the second half and got what they wanted in the 51st minute. Taing Bunchhai took … [Read more...] about Cambodia surprise Malaysia in football draw

Interestingly, both Vietnamese men's and women’s U23 football teams will face Thailand's in the finals for gold medals. Vietnam is going to head to head with Thailand in the finals of SEA Games 31 in the next three days after winning Malaysia 1-0 in extra time of the match on May 19. On the same day, Thailand defeated Indonesia 1-0 in a match consisting of two further 15-minute halves, the same way Vietnam won against Malaysia as both matches ended goalless in 90 minutes. Tien Linh scores a goal in the match versus Malaysia on May 19. Photos: Ngoc Tu/The Hanoi Times Tien Linh conducted a header to open the score for Vietnam in the 111th minute from a corner kick made by Captain Hung Dung. The goal was made after Malaysia was down physically, sometimes resulting in ill-organized defense and fouls when fighting for the ball. In most of the match, Malaysia chose to preserve defensive tactics without clear passes to shut down the rival’s offense. Vietnam’s … [Read more...] about SEA Games 31: Vietnam and Thailand to compete for football gold medal

"Thailand are tough to beat. In the last five games, they scored 15 goals and only let their opponents score twice. And that's after they got the red card in their match with Malaysia. So, it's not possible to have an exact estimate on their defensive capabilities," Park told a Saturday press meet. "Their playstyle is truly perfect. Each team, of course, have their own strengths and weaknesses. The midline of Thailand's offense is very good, with many strong, quick and skillful players. Vietnamese players would need to cover each other and defend well." Despite having entered the final without letting their opponents score even a single goal, Vietnam are still facing criticism, especially regarding their offensive lineup. "We're only a match away from the gold medal. Fans hold high expectations, and that puts pressure on players. But in my opinion, they should learn to rise above that," said Park, adding that the team would prepare their best for the game. Vietnam and Thailand … [Read more...] about SEA Games football final: Park calls Thailand approach ‘perfect’

Việt Nam coach Park Hang-seo answering questions in the pre-match press conference on May 21. — VNA/VNS Photo Phạm Kiên Anh Đức HÀ NỘI — The Việt Nam – Thailand football rivalry will have a new chapter as they face off in the SEA Games men's football final on May 22 in the Mỹ Đình National Stadium in Hà Nội. In the under-23s level, Việt Nam is on a five-game undefeated streak against Thailand, with the War Elephants' last victory occurring in 2015. Last time the teams met, Việt Nam won 1-0 through a Trần Bảo Toàn header. Both teams went through gruelling semi-finals that included extra time, with Thailand winning against Indonesia through Weerathep Pomphan's goal and Việt Nam needing a towering header from Nguyễn Tiến Linh in the 111th minute to see off Malaysia. Việt Nam are without Lê Văn Xuân, who went down with a knee injury in the semi-final, which leaves coach Park Hang-seo with a headache selecting a replacement. Thailand, on the other hand, have their strongest … [Read more...] about Coaches play mind games ahead of football final

Vietnam's coach Park Hang-seo answering questions in the pre-match press conference on May 21. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) — The Vietnam – Thailand football rivalry will have a new chapter as they face off in the SEA Games men's football final on May 22 in the My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi. In the under-23 level, Vietnam is on a five-game undefeated streak against Thailand, with the War Elephants' last victory occurring in 2015. Last time the teams met, Vietnam won 1-0 through a Tran Bao Toan header. Both teams went through gruelling semi-finals that included extra time, with Thailand winning against Indonesia through Weerathep Pomphan's goal and Vietnam needing a towering header from Nguyen Tien Linh in the 111th minute to see off Malaysia. "Vietnam has a lot of advantages on their hand, with 40,000 fans on their side," said Thailand head coach Mano Polking. "Thailand is the underdog, but we are a hard-to-deal-with underdog since my players and I are … [Read more...] about Coaches play mind games ahead of football final

Nguyễn Tiến Linh (9) and Nhâm Mạnh Dũng (17) celebrate after Dũng scored the only goal for Việt Nam. VNA/VNS Photo Quốc Khánh Peter Cowan HÀ NỘI – Việt Nam retained their SEA Games men’s football title on Sunday night, with a late, golden goal enough to see off bitter rivals Thailand by a goal to nil. The party began at Mỹ Đình Stadium in Hà Nội and surely went long into the night as the whole country celebrated their latest group of young heroes. The latest piece of silverware is yet another vindication of coach Park Hang-seo’s pragmatic methods, as while Việt Nam failed to entertain with their quality of play, he U23s still came away with the gold medal. Coach Park made three changes to the starting 11 that defeated Malaysia in the semi-final on Thursday, with Nguyễn Văn Tùng, Huỳnh Công Đến and Phan Tuấn Tài coming into the team. The passion of the rabid home crowd ensured the match was played in an atmosphere befitting of a final, but the quality of play in … [Read more...] about Golden Việt Nam defeat Thailand for SEA Games crown

Vietnam won the gold medals without conceding a goal during the tournament that gathered all 11 Southeast Asian teams. Vietnam men’s football team defeated Thailand 1-0 to defend its title in the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) on May 22 at the 40,000-seat My Dinh National Stadium, Hanoi. Vietnam won the gold medal without conceding a goal during the tournament that gathered all 11 Southeast Asian teams. Nham Manh Dung’s header in the 83th minute, which was kept unchanged until the match ended with five-minute injury time, sparking the excitement of the packed sports stadium was attended by Vietnam's top leaders, including President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue, and Permanent member of the Central Party Committee's Secretariate Vo Van Thuong. Vietnam, which won the championship for the first time in 60 years in 2019 under the leadership of coach Park Hang-seo, continued its momentum as the … [Read more...] about SEA Games 31: Vietnam crowned men’s football champion

After the defeat against host Vietnam in the 31st SEA Games men's football final on May 22, the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) and team manager Nualphan Lamsan determined to reform the U23 team. Only 10 players, including Gustavsson, from the SEA Games squad, were retained for U23 Asian Cup next month. FAT called up 14 other players, including five who are currently playing for European clubs. They also handed over the U23 team to coach Worrawoot Srimaka, while Mano Polking, who coached Thailand at SEA Games, will focus on the national team. "We didn't have a lot of time to prepare for the SEA Games. But after about three weeks of playing in the tournament together and another week of training in Bangkok, I think U23 Thailand are in fine form now," Gustavsson told VnExpress on Monday at Istanbul Airport, while waiting to transit to Uzbekistan for U23 Asian Cup. At the 2022 U23 Asian Cup, Thailand are in group C with Vietnam, Malaysia and South Korea. Gustavsson said … [Read more...] about Thailand have great desire to beat Vietnam at U23 Asian Cup: forward

On the official squad list for U23 Asian Cup, Thailand called up nine players that are playing outside of Thai League, including Thanawat Suengchitthawon, Ben Davis (England), Jonathan Khemdee, Nicholas Mickelson (Denmark), Yannick Nussbaum (Switzerland), Channarong Promsrikaew (Spain), Chayapipat Supunpasuch (Portugal), Achitpol Keereerom (Germany) and Sittichok Paso (Japan). Like Thailand, Australia also have nine players in Europe. Vietnam are one of the five teams that don't have any overseas players, next to Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Uzbekistan, the host of the U23 Asian Cup this year, and Japan sent their U21 team to the tournament. They want the young players to accumulate experience and aim for a further goal, which is the 2024 U23 Asian Cup, a qualifier for the Olympics. In U23 Asian Cup, Thailand will be coached by Worrawoot Srimaka. In SEA Games 31, national team coach Mano Polking took over the U23 team with the target of helping Thailand claim the … [Read more...] about Overseas players core of Thailand squad in U23 Asian Cup