Coach Kim Sang-sik is cautious against U23 Philippines

VHO - Before the semi-final match of the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship, coach Kim Sang-sik highly appreciated and was cautious about the counter-attacking style of U23 Philippines.

U23 Philippines is an interesting “phenomenon” in the tournament. In the group stage, this team excellently defeated U23 Malaysia and U23 Brunei (both 2-0) and only lost 0-1 to host U23 Indonesia to win the right to enter the round of 4 strongest teams as the second-placed team with the best record.

Coach Kim Sang-sik is determined to win with his students.

Speaking at the press conference before the semi-final match, coach Kim Sang-sik highly appreciated the strengths in the defensive counter-attacking style of the opponent U23 Philippines.

Coach Kim Sang-sik commented: “The Philippines is a team with a very clear defensive counter-attacking style of play, with fast and technical players, especially number 7 and number 20.

This will be a big challenge for the U23 Vietnam defense. Our players need to concentrate to neutralize these dangerous strikers."

The Korean coach also expressed his satisfaction with the team's journey in the group stage: "I am very happy that the team has qualified for the semi-finals after two consecutive victories.

This result is the result of the tireless efforts of the players, the coaching staff and all members of the team. We will continue to prepare carefully and devote ourselves to achieve the best results in the semi-finals."

Regarding the squad situation, coach Kim Sang-sik shared: “Center-back Pham Ly Duc suffered an ankle injury in the match against U23 Cambodia. His ability to play in the semi-final is still uncertain. We will continue to monitor him in today's training session.”

Coach Garrath McPherson highly appreciates U23 Vietnam

On the other side of the front line, head coach Garrath McPherson of the U23 Philippines said: "We have played three matches in the group stage and had a day off before the semi-finals. The whole team is receiving great support from home and that gives the players more strength."

Evaluating U23 Vietnam, Coach McPherson said: “They are a very high-quality team, with many players who have played for the national team and played in the national championship. U23 Vietnam is well organized, especially dangerous in set pieces.”

The semi-final match between U23 Vietnam and U23 Philippines will take place at 4:00 p.m. tomorrow, July 25, at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/hlv-kim-sangsik-than-trong-truoc-u23-philippines-155676.html