Park Hang-seo: “I will do my utmost to bring Vietnam to the final”

“I love my motherland and expect the best things for the Republic of Korea (RoK), but as the coach of Vietnam’s Olympic team at present, it is my obligation to wholeheartedly prepare Vietnam for the upcoming semifinal,” said Vietnam coach Park Hang-seo during a press briefing after the 2018 Aisan Games (Asiad) quarterfinal clash against Syria on August 27.

Park Hang-seo celebrates with Vietnam's hero Nguyen Van Toan after the quarterfinal match on August 27. (Photo: vnexpress.net)
Park Hang-seo celebrates with Vietnam's hero Nguyen Van Toan after the quarterfinal match on August 27. (Photo: vnexpress.net)

Vietnam beat Syria 1-0 in a thrilling encounter on Monday night thanks to Van Toan’s extra-time strike, to set up a semifinal with the RoK’s Olympic team, the reigning Asiad men’s football gold medalists and the homeland team of Park Hang-seo.

However, the Sancheong-born tactician affirmed that he would not let his love for his country to dent his will to win.

“Vietnam and the RoK only have one day off, so both will face difficulty in making a full recovery. But I and my assistants will try to help the Vietnamese players reach a good level in terms of physical fitness and psychology for the semifinal, in addition to analysing our opponents,” he said.

Talking about the performance of the Vietnamese players, Park did not hide his satisfaction, “We have taken a great stride today. I am proud of my players and happy to work in Vietnam.”

Vietnam coach Park Hang-seo celebrates with assistants after Van Toan scores the decisive goal of the match. (Photo: vnexpress.net)

The August 27 quarterfinal was the fifth consecutive match that Vietnam had kept a clean sheet since the beginning of the tournament. Park again showed his wisdom with strategic substitutions which helped Vietnam qualify for the Asiad semifinal for the first time in history.

The 59-year-old coach pledged the whole team’s utmost efforts in the upcoming semifinal to repeat the feat of progressing to the final of the 2018 AFC U23 Championship in China at the beginning of the year.

When asked about his counterpart on the RoK side, Kim Hak-bum, Park said: “We are close friends. Kim is a qualified trainer with tactical proficiency, and was once nicknamed ‘the Alex Ferguson of the K-League’. We have met several times in the K-League. Both of us will try our best, together with the players, to make an eyecatching and exciting semifinal match.”

The semifinal clash between Vietnam and the RoK will take place at the Pakansari Stadium in Pakansari, Cibinong, West Java, Indonesia at 4pm on August 29.