.jpg?w=2400&h=1350&q=80)
AFC U23 Asian Cup
UAE fought back twice to draw level and force the quarter-final into extra time but Kim’s instruction to his players to keep pushing in the additional 30 minutes paid off handsomely with Pham Minh Phuc netting the winner as the Korea Republic tactician emulated compatriot Park Hang-seo in steering Vietnam into the semi-finals.
#AFCU23 | Quarter-finals: Vietnam 3-2 UAE
“I want to thank the players for their dedication and effort,” said Kim. “I’m so proud of how they performed in the 120 minutes. From today’s match, I believe that Vietnam football is of a great standard.
“I told the players to push more in extra time because I felt we were fitter than the UAE players and I’m thankful the players did exactly that.”
“I told the players to push more in extra time because I felt we were fitter than the UAE players and I’m thankful the players did exactly that.”
.jpg?w=2400&q=80)
Having seen how his side conceded mere minutes after twice going ahead, Kim was quick to ensure that did not happen for a third time, taking off Nguyen Thanh Nhan - who came on as a second half substitute - for Nguyen Phi Hoang to cut off UAE’s supply of crosses.
“Physically, we had the edge. In the second half, we sent on (defender) Phi Hoang and we specifically instructed him to deal with the opponents' crosses and to tightly mark their number two (Mubarak Zamah).
“He carried out those instructions very well, which is why we were able to prevent any further UAE goals ."
“Physically, we had the edge. In the second half, we sent on (defender) Phi Hoang and we specifically instructed him to deal with the opponents' crosses and to tightly mark their number two (Mubarak Zamah).
“He carried out those instructions very well, which is why we were able to prevent any further UAE goals ."
“On top of that, their full-backs looked tired so our decision to bring on players with more pace turned out to be very effective as it kept them on the defensive.”
Kim's tactical acumen will be tested again in Tuesday's semi-final against either Uzbekistan or China PR, with the former Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC head coach aiming to further emulate compatriot Park by steering Vietnam into the final.
Kim's tactical acumen will be tested again in Tuesday's semi-final against either Uzbekistan or China PR, with the former Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC head coach aiming to further emulate compatriot Park by steering Vietnam into the final.
Related News
Item 1 of 5