`I think the important thing is that Thailand won with a perfect score. But everything is not over yet. We still have to concentrate as much as possible and prepare a good plan for the return match on December 26,`
Coach Polking helped Thailand cut the losing streak against Vietnamese teams led by Coach Park Hang-seo.
Captain midfielder Chanathip Songkrasin opened the score for Thailand in the 14th minute, thanks to Nguyen Phong Hong Duy’s slip and fall.
Chanathip had a chance to score a hat-trick when he was given a penalty kick after Do Duy Manh fouled Supachai in the 82nd minute. But the player playing for Consadole Sapporo in Japan could not beat goalkeeper Tran Nguyen Manh.
`Due to a 2-0 lead from the first half, I changed a bit after the 15-minute break, allowing Thailand to switch to a defensive counter-attack. We had some good opportunities to score more goals, but couldn’t take advantage of them.
The 2-0 result at Singapore National Stadium on the evening of December 23 helped Thailand win for the first time, after five draws and losses against Vietnam under coach Park Hang-seo.
However, Mr. Polking also admitted that Thailand was more or less lucky to have an early goal from Hong Duy’s slip.
When entering the Thailand match today, Vietnam made a slight adjustment in attack with Nguyen Van Toan starting, instead of Phan Van Duc.
Vietnam 0-2 Thailand
He said: `I’m not surprised, because I know they want to use Van Toan to take advantage of his speed. Then in the second half, they brought two more strikers onto the field. But Thailand has very good scenarios.`
The match at Singapore National Stadium witnessed many tough situations from both sides.
The semi-final second leg between Thailand and Vietnam will take place at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, December 26.
