Vietnam have no option but to focus on the DPR Korea clash, says Park Hang-seo

Coach Park Hang-seo has admitted that his Vietnam U23 side are in a difficult situation, with no option but to push hard for a win against the DPR Korea in the last group match to stand any chance of advancing to the knockout round.

Vietnam coach Park Hang-seo gestures at a press conference after their second Group D match against Jordan on January 13. (Photo: VFF)
Vietnam coach Park Hang-seo gestures at a press conference after their second Group D match against Jordan on January 13. (Photo: VFF)

Vietnam were forced to concede a second consecutive goalless draw at the ongoing 2020 AFC U23 Championship after facing Jordan in their second Group D match at the Buriram Stadium on January 13.

The unexpected result deprived Park’s troops the autonomy to decide their fate, as they are now third in the group with two points, two behind both the United Arab Emirates and Jordan.

“We have fallen into a difficult circumstance and have no choice but to accept it. What Vietnam U23s can do now is to focus our best for the last group clash against the DPR Korea,” Park told reporters after the Jordan match on Monday.

When asked about the problem in the attacking line after two goalless matches in a row, the Republic of Korea tactician said: “We had good ball possession and a good attacking system, but could not convert the opportunities into a goal. I think the problem lied in the last minutes when my players seemed indecisive. But I could neither interfere with that nor blame them.”

Explaining why the Golden Stars only played well in the latter part of the second half on Monday, Park stated that the Vietnamese squad had many new players with limited international experience, so conceding an early goal would negatively impact their psychology.

“We tried to ensure safety and wait until the hour mark onwards for the opponent’s fitness to decline and then accelerate the attacking pace. We also created some clear-cut chances but unfortunately wasted them. Anyway, a point is also acceptable. My players worked really hard.”

Regarding the upcoming encounter against the DPR Korea, the Vietnam coach said he and his assistants would have to check the players’ fitness situation to see if any are injured or overloaded, and then make the decision on the starting squad.

This morning (January 14), Vietnam U23s will have a final training session in Buriram before travelling to Bangkok in the afternoon to prepare for the DPR Korea clash, scheduled for January 16 at the Rajamangala Stadium.