Vietnam's coach Park Hang-seo answering questions in the pre-match press conference on May 21. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) — The Vietnam – Thailand football rivalry will havea new chapter as they face off in the SEA Games men's football final onMay 22 in the My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi.
In the under-23 level, Vietnam is on a five-game undefeatedstreak against Thailand, with the War Elephants' last victory occurring in 2015.Last time the teams met, Vietnam won 1-0 through a Tran Bao Toan header.
Both teams went through gruelling semi-finals that includedextra time, with Thailand winning against Indonesia through Weerathep Pomphan'sgoal and Vietnam needing a towering header from Nguyen Tien Linh in the111th minute to see off Malaysia.
"Vietnamhas a lot of advantages on their hand, with 40,000 fans on their side,"said Thailand head coach Mano Polking. "Thailand is the underdog, butwe are a hard-to-deal-with underdog since my players and I are determined towin this.
"There is no difference whatsoever about the fitness levelof both teams since our opponents went through 120 minutes of playalso."
Forhis part, Vietnam head coach Park Hang-seo said: "We are one match awayfrom the gold medal. This pressures the players very much. But that's achallenge they have to overcome. Thailand is perfect, with great playersplaying in the backbone of their system. Vietnam need to concentrate ondefence to overcome that."
This is Vietnam's and Thailand's fifth meeting in the finalof the SEA Games, but the first in 18 years. Thailand won all four of theprevious finals./.
