Coach Park proud of beating Indonesia

“Vietnam defeated Indonesia at the AFF Cup after failing to do so over the last 26 years,” he said at the post-match press conference. “We played this game at home and won to advance to the final. I’m really proud.”

The early goal in the third minute by Nguyen Tien Linh helped Vietnam control the game and Indonesia could no longer play defensively.

Vietnam had better possession (53%) and continued to create more chances.

Meanwhile, Indonesia were confused after the early concession and started committing fouls to provoke Vietnam players but didn’t succeed.

They conceded another goal early in the second half, also thanks to Tien Linh, and accepted the 0-2 defeat.

“The first goal was the result of analysis,” said Park. “We know that they are not good in aerial situations, especially on the flanks. We played with two strikers this time and exploited their weakness. Tien Linh scored early.”

The 2022 AFF Cup will be Park’s final tournament with the Vietnamese national football squad. Some have said he has elevated the style rather than the skill of the team, but Park disagreed.

“This is my fifth year as the head coach of Vietnam. There are many players who have improved. If you say that they didn’t improve their skills then I must disagree,” he argued. “The national team is not a place for youth football training, we don’t have time to adjust every detail. My players have improved because I amplified their abilities and good results came.”

Park declined to share his feelings about advancing for a second time to the AFF Cup final, following his first appearance there in 2018. He said there are still two more games in the finals, and said his team would give their best for the fans.

He also said he didn’t want to receive compliments on what he has achieved with Vietnamese football.

“I’m just a normal coach, all I know is trying my best. I achieved these results thanks to having many great players and assistants,” he said.