The Malaysian coach took responsibility for losing to Thailand
In the first leg at home at Bukit Jalil on January 7, Malaysia won the defending champion Thailand 1-0, but in the second leg on the evening of January 10, they lost 0-3 at Thammasat Stadium, Bangkok and were eliminated from the AFF Cup 2022 with a total score 1-3.
Coach Kim entered the press conference room after the match with a disappointed face. Although proud of the performance of the players from the beginning of the tournament, the leader still apologized to the Malaysian fans. He also took full responsibility for himself, and protected his students after the disappointing result in the second leg of the semi-finals.
"You can attack me whatever you want, but don't do that to the players," coach Kim said. "They just follow my instructions, and try to fight to the end. If there's a problem, it's up to me to plan the strategy, and form the formation."
The Malaysian head coach has no regrets or complaints, and believes that the players will have many lessons after the defeat at the AFF Cup this time. "I appreciate players who are willing to sacrifice holidays and family time for the sake of the national team," he continued.
In the first leg, Thailand excelled, with 24 shots, four times more than Malaysia, 73% possession, 86% pass accuracy, but could not score. On the evening of January 10, the defending champion broke down in efficiency, when he held the ball 63%, successfully passed 81% and finished 15 times, with 7 goals and scored 3 goals.
Malaysia only lasted 19 minutes before Teerasil Dangda headed the opener from Theerathon Bunmathan's precise cross. In the second half, Thailand scored two more goals according to the same scenario, overlapping and passing into the penalty area to Bordin Phala and then Adisak Kraisorn scored in the 55th and 71st minutes, setting a 3-0 victory in the second leg.
The final result 3-1 helps Thailand reach the AFF Cup final for the second time in a row, and will face Vietnam on January 13 at My Dinh and then January 16 in Thammasat. The dream final between the two teams will determine who is the "king of Southeast Asia", and also the final stage of Coach Park Hang-seo and Vietnamese football.
