AFF Cup 2018 – Coach and Player Comments

Vietnam

Park Hang-Seo (Head Coach): "Vietnam are not as physical as Malaysia. So, we must focus on training and preparation. We must control the game and have better finishing than [we did in the] Laos match." (Source - thethao247)

Bui Tien Dung (Goalkeeper, 1): "We have a good preparation for Malaysia game. Coach Park Hang-seo indicated that we must focus on training. We are ready to play when coach require." (Source - goal.com)

Nguyen Anh Duc (Forward, 11): "Malaysia is a very difficult opponent. We have to try our best to score and win the game. Each game is [like] a final and we must work hard." (Source - goal.com)

Thailand

Milovan Rajevac (Head Coach): “Of course, losing Chanathip and Teerasil has had a negative effect on our team, but I’ve said it before that with the right amount of preparation, I can train and develop various attacking moves with this new squad. You can see from the seven goals we scored (against Timor-Leste), they are all a result of our hard work." (Source - FA Thailand)

Nurul Sriyankem (Left Winger, 14): “Facing Indonesia would be a much more difficult task (compared to Timor-Leste). They’ve just lost too, so the game against us is even more important. They will be more focused, therefore we must be well prepared and I will work harder to help the team even more." (Source - FA Thailand)

Mongkol Tossakrai (Right Winger, 11): “Personally, I’m not the best footballer. But I think the reason I keep getting my chances is because I (follow) the coach's instruction to best of my ability. I fully believe that if we can stick to the coach's plan, we will have a great chance of winning. Finally, even though I’ve already won [the AFF Suzuki Cup] twice, I still have that hunger in me. It’s not only about winning for the third time - I always have this hunger every single time I put on the Thai jersey. It’s the biggest honour of my life.” (Source - FA Thailand)

Thitipan Puangchan (Midfielder, 8): “We made a few mistakes (against Timor-Leste) which must be fixed. For example in defence where we gave [Timor- Leste] quite a few chances to finish in our box; luckily we didn’t concede any goals. On the other hand, Indonesia will be a tougher opponent. As we know, [Indonesia] is a strong [team] with many good and experienced players, which will give us a hard time.” (Source - FA Thailand)

Indonesia

Bima Sakti (Head Coach):

...on Timor-Leste: "The defenders [are] still not good and it will my job and my responsibility [to improve them]. Our players still under pressure. I talked to Beto after the game, [and said that] if we score earlier we may get better result. This win is [helping us improve] our spirit [before] facing Thailand. I [told] all of players to keep humble."

....on Thailand: "“Every player has same chances to play as a starting eleven. But, the senior players may have more experience and will help organise the game’s rhythm. Many of them, [such as] Andik, Fachruddin and Bayu Pradana already played against Thailand back in 2016." (Source - PSSI)

Andik Vermansyah (Right Winger, 21): 

...on missing the second leg of the 2016 final against Thailand: “Yes I really sad about that moment. I want to play against them, and maybe the next match is my opportunity.  I am only thinking about how to help this team (win against Thailand). Thank you for the supporters who are always cheering for us even when we were not playing well tonight." (Source - Post Match Press Conference)

Alfath Fathier (Wing back, 3): “I personally tried to enjoy the game and release my nervousness by playing calmly during the first-half because I felt the pressure too. But then coach Bima gave [the instruction] during the second-half that I must be brave and overlap [the wingers]. We must continue this positive trend. We must win against Thailand and Philippines, and hope we can make it (to the semi-final)." (Source - PSSI)

Malaysia

Tan Cheng Hoe (Head Coach): “The players showed their fighting spirit and did not give up even when we were a goal down after just seven minutes. I expect more of the same when we play against Vietnam. They are a strong team and of course we have to change the way we play. We can not just defend for 90 minutes because Vietnam has a good attack pattern. We also need to attack [in order] to win the game" (Source - bharian.com)

Norshahrul Idlan (Striker, 9): "Indeed, as [a] striker, [I feel that] there is pressure from [the] supporters [and the] coach, but I overcome the pressure well. We have just been through two matches, [and] our Vietnam match will be pretty fierce. Our God will give us a better start in Hanoi." (Source - bharian.com)