Vietnamese players train in Hanoi (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Today’s friendlymatch against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) will be Vietnam’sfinal test before the upcoming Asian Cup tournament next month, said coach ParkHang-seo of Vietnam.
The Korean coach said at a press briefing in Hanoion December 24 that he would make some changes to his tactics compared with hisapproach to the AFF Cup.
He said there would be some new formations to beused in the friendly, and that the Vietnamese side would try to avoid injuries.
"We will be missing the service of some keyplayers in the Asian Cup,” said Park through an interpreter. “But it will be a chancefor young players to show their talents. We will limit injuries and make it aninteresting game for supporters."
The DPRK are a good team, he said, adding that itshould be an attractive match.
Midfielders Nguyen Trong Hoang and Luc Xuan Hungare recovering from injuries. If they cannot play, Park said, he would recallTran Dinh Trong, who was planning to fly to the Republic of Korea for a smallsurgery.
"Trong was in his peak at the AFF Cup,”said Park. “Despite his leg injury he still can play for the team and thesurgery could be done later.”
Midfielder Luong Xuan Truong accompanied Park tothe press conference. Truong was in the team that beat the DPRK by a score of5-2 in a friendly two years ago.
He said he was not at his best recently but wastrying to find his form and secure a place in the starting team at the AsianCup.
"In that match we conceded the first goal,but it was a friendly so we were playing with an easy mind and won 5-2,"he said.
The coming match will be a chance for him to winthe coach’s support.
"I will spend more time to improve myabilities and hope to play well at the Cup,” Truong said. “We are determinedwhen we play Asian rivals."
On the other side, DPRK coach Kim Yong Jun said Vietnam’sdefenders and midfielders were sharp and strong.
"We just arrived in Vietnam and have onlyone practice session on the field,” said Kim. “The match against Vietnam – whojust won the AFF Cup – will be a good test for my team. We aim for a berth inthe Asian Cup’s quarter-finals.”
The DPRK are in Group E of the tournament in theUnited Arab Emirates with Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Qatar.
Kim has called up Ri Dong Jik, who is playingfor Tokyo Verdy in Japan, and Pak Kwang Ryong of SKN St. Polten in Austria forthe competition.
Vietnam, who just welcomed a new fitness coach,are in Group D with Iraq, Iran and Yemen.-VNS/VNA
The Korean coach said at a press briefing in Hanoion December 24 that he would make some changes to his tactics compared with hisapproach to the AFF Cup.
He said there would be some new formations to beused in the friendly, and that the Vietnamese side would try to avoid injuries.
"We will be missing the service of some keyplayers in the Asian Cup,” said Park through an interpreter. “But it will be a chancefor young players to show their talents. We will limit injuries and make it aninteresting game for supporters."
The DPRK are a good team, he said, adding that itshould be an attractive match.
Midfielders Nguyen Trong Hoang and Luc Xuan Hungare recovering from injuries. If they cannot play, Park said, he would recallTran Dinh Trong, who was planning to fly to the Republic of Korea for a smallsurgery.
"Trong was in his peak at the AFF Cup,”said Park. “Despite his leg injury he still can play for the team and thesurgery could be done later.”
Midfielder Luong Xuan Truong accompanied Park tothe press conference. Truong was in the team that beat the DPRK by a score of5-2 in a friendly two years ago.
He said he was not at his best recently but wastrying to find his form and secure a place in the starting team at the AsianCup.
"In that match we conceded the first goal,but it was a friendly so we were playing with an easy mind and won 5-2,"he said.
The coming match will be a chance for him to winthe coach’s support.
"I will spend more time to improve myabilities and hope to play well at the Cup,” Truong said. “We are determinedwhen we play Asian rivals."
On the other side, DPRK coach Kim Yong Jun said Vietnam’sdefenders and midfielders were sharp and strong.
"We just arrived in Vietnam and have onlyone practice session on the field,” said Kim. “The match against Vietnam – whojust won the AFF Cup – will be a good test for my team. We aim for a berth inthe Asian Cup’s quarter-finals.”
The DPRK are in Group E of the tournament in theUnited Arab Emirates with Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Qatar.
Kim has called up Ri Dong Jik, who is playingfor Tokyo Verdy in Japan, and Pak Kwang Ryong of SKN St. Polten in Austria forthe competition.
Vietnam, who just welcomed a new fitness coach,are in Group D with Iraq, Iran and Yemen.-VNS/VNA
VNA