Thailand coach Polking: “Theerathon’s goal was a turning point”
Tonight (January 16), Thailand played well to win 1-0 once morest Vietnam in the second leg final, thereby winning the AFF Cup 2022 with a total score of 3-2 following 2 turns to and from.
The only scorer in the 24th minute to help Thailand defend the AFF Cup championship was captain Theerathon Bunmathan.
Coach Polking helped Thailand successfully defend the AFF Cup title. Photo: Cao Oanh
Speaking at the press conference following the match, coach Polking of Thailand said: “With the first leg drawing 2-2 in My Dinh, if Vietnam wants to win the championship, they must score in the second leg. We understand. that and tried to control the game well.
Theerathon’s lead goal is very important, because following that, Vietnam Tel will have to score 2 goals to reach the goal.
That situation helps Thailand Tel can focus on defense and play closely. We don’t take risks, just play long balls.
It’s not a pretty game, but it’s very effective. That’s the most important thing in a final.”
More sharing, coach Polking expressed: “Before entering the AFF Cup 2022, we knew that we had the ability to win.
Thailand wants to be the number 1 team in Southeast Asia and wants to win the championship in the future. I always tell the players that there must always be a desire to win.
I am happy to have won the AFF Cup with Thailand for the second time in a row. This tournament we lacked a few important players but the rest of the players played very well. For example, Theerathon Bunmathan is an excellent player, a perfect leader, the best player. I am very proud of this championship title.”
When the reporter asked him if he would miss Coach Park Hang-seo? Coach Polking confided: “I think I’m not the only one who misses Coach Park Hang-seo.
He is a great person who has done great things with football in Southeast Asia and Vietnam. I wish Mr. Park success in the future.
I admire his enthusiasm, the way he gives his all, the way he elevates the Vietnamese team. I will miss him very much.”
When asked regarding Thailand’s World Cup goal in the future, Coach Polking replied: “After winning the AFF Cup, Thailand still has to achieve good results in the ASIAN Cup, trying to compete with other teams. ball like Japan, Korea or Saudi Arabia.
Attending the World Cup requires a lot of factors that I can’t do alone. I can only say that playing once morest stronger teams is a necessary step for Thailand to improve.
At this year’s tournament, Dangda is still the best striker in the region. But without him we still have Poramet playing two very good finals, both Suphanat, Supachai, Adisak… We have enough good strikers but we still need talented young strikers in the future.”