Dubai: Head coach Park Hang-seo expressed his pride at his side’s performance despite Vietnam's AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 adventure coming to an end on Thursday.



The valiant Southeast Asians campaign ended after they lost 1-0 to four-time champions Japan in their quarter-final at the Al Maktoum Stadium.

Vietnam qualified for the knockout stage of UAE 2019 as the fourth best third-placed team but edged Jordan - who had stunned defending champions Australia 1-0 in the group stage - on penalties to make the quarter-finals.

There was not to be further joy as Japan’s Ritsu Doan converted a second half penalty to take the Samurai Blue through in an absorbing encounter.



“For us, reaching the quarter-finals is really satisfying,” Park said in the post-match press conference as he summed up his team's campaign.

“To be honest, we didn’t have enough time to prepare for this tournament after participating in the 2018 AFF Cup, but I think my players did their best."

 


Match Highlights - January 24

“Even though we lost to Japan, the players did really well and showed their fighting spirit, and I am really satisfied with that.

“My players have a big desire to reach the next level. Even though football in Vietnam is not at its best at the moment, my players can only get better.”

The 60-year-old coach from Korea Republic led Vietnam to several achievements over the last 12 months, beginning with a runners-up finish at the 2018 AFC U23 Championship and then fourth place in the Indonesia Asian Games.

More than half of the U-23 squad graduated to the senior squad, and Park led the team - who were the youngest squad in UAE 2019 - to their second AFF Cup title in December.

While Park admitted there was a difference in standard between Japan and Vietnam, he said the experience of playing against the best teams in Asia has strengthened his players.

“We will try to improve our Vietnamese football and facilities to reach the level of Japan,” said Park.

“For the Vietnam team, it’s not easy when meeting strong teams like Japan, Islamic Republic of Iran and Iraq, but the experience of playing against stronger teams will be really helpful for the players to improve.

“The achievement last year and here as well, is a kind of a miracle. During this competition, we learned to be confident, believed we could do it and fought hard against all teams.”


Source: the-afc.com