The Korean media extolled coach Park Hang-Seo after he led Vietnam’s national football team to a 2-1 win against the Philippines in the first leg of the ASEAN Federation Football (AFF) Suzuki Cup 2018 semifinals.

Coach Park Hang-Seo

The Hankyoreh newspaper published an article in which it said Park’s magic helped Vietnam defeat the Philippines. The article said Vietnam’s triumph over the host Philippines in the semifinal first leg brought them a significant advantage in the return leg at home on December 6. The winners will take on either Thailand or Malaysia in the final.

The paper stressed Vietnam is targeting its second championship at the AFF Suzuki Cup after 10 years since it won the title for the first time. Earlier, coach Park helped the country become the first runner-up of the 2018 AFC U23 Championship and rank 4th at the Asian Games (ASIAD) 2018, it added.

An article of the Nocutnews said the Philippine players, coached by famous Swedish football manager and former player Sven-Goran Eriksson, had lost to their Vietnamese peers. It wrote Park once stated that winning the AFF Suzuki Cup is his top priority. His team passed the qualification round with three wins and one draw. 

The Sport MK said in an article that the AFF Suzuki Cup can be considered a World Cup of the Southeast Asian region. According to the article, under the guidance of coach Park, Vietnam, which let no team score their goal during the qualifiers, is targeting at the championship title. The team beat the Philippines, a tough rival consisting of many qualified players, in the semifinal first leg and is moving closer to the final.

The AFF Suzuki Cup 2018 takes place from November 8 to December 15. This year, it features a new playing format, with both home and away ties.-VNA