[스포츠한국 허행운 기자] In the home-and-away system, home game conceding is fatal. This is because the team with the most away goals has an advantage in the event of a tie on the aggregate score in the first and second games. However, coach Park Hang-seo (64), who conceded two goals at home, was not disappointed. He rather calmly promised an away victory to come.
The Vietnam national football team, led by coach Park Hang-seo, drew 2-2 against Thailand in the first leg of the 2022 ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Mitsubishi Electric Cup final held at My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi, Vietnam on the 13th (Korean time).
It was a disappointing win. Vietnam got off to a good start in the 24th minute with Nguyen Tien Linh’s wonderful diving header. However, 3 minutes after the whistle sounded at the start of the second half, Poramet Aribiria gave an equalizer, and in the 18th minute of the second half, a fatal defensive line mistake resulted in a reverse goal from Piradol Chamsarami. It was fortunate that in the 43rd minute of the second half, just before the end, Boo Van Tain’s fantastic mid-range shot led to a draw.
The semi-finals and finals of the AFF Cup are played on a home-and-away basis. Therefore, the final winner will be determined by combining the results with the second game held at Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani, Thailand on the 16th. In that sense, it is true that Vietnam, which gave up two points at home, is at a disadvantage.
Thailand’s victory in the second game is a matter of course, and even if it draws 0-0 or 1-1, it will succeed in the final championship. Conversely, Vietnam needs a victory virtually unconditionally. A 2-2 draw is needed to go to extra time or a penalty shoot-out. Anyway, it is Vietnam where away goals are a must.
According to the contents of the official press conference after the first leg released by the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) on its official website, a Vietnamese reporter asked coach Park Hang-seo about the probability of winning the championship in the upcoming Thailand expedition. It was a question conscious of the unfavorable situation Vietnam is currently facing.
Then, director Park Hang-seo said, “I am neither a math teacher nor a math genius, so I can’t accurately calculate the probability. I just know that we will all do our best,” hinting at drawing attention to meaningless numbers.
“If we win 1-0, we can win. Why are you so pessimistic? No team is perfect. As a coach, I will do my best with the players in the second game,” he said, revealing his desire for a neat victory without having to be aware of the away goal.
As coach Park Hang-seo puts down the baton after this tournament, it is natural that he is more desperate for victory than anyone else. The team is also united with the will to present the championship trophy at the last tournament of the gift that brought them up one step. Although the situation is not easy, this is why there are predictions that Vietnam will not back down easily.
Director Park Hang-seo’s real last dance is coming soon. Whatever the outcome, he must say his final goodbyes. What kind of ending will the exit of coach Park Hang-seo, who remains a living legend of Vietnamese football, have? Many people’s attention was focused on the upcoming second game.