Thailand head coach aims to dethrone Vietnam at AFF Cup

By Hoang Nguyen December 1, 2021 | 03:43 am PT

Alexandre Polking as the head coach of Thailand national football team. Photo by Football Association of Thailand

Head coach Alexandre Polking believes Thailand are strong enough to overthrow Vietnam, AFF Cup defending champions.

"I know Vietnam are strong and have improved a lot in recent years. Their advantage lies in their participation in World Cup qualifiers over the past four months. But I believe Thailand can win the title. We will bring the AFF Cup back home," Polking told Thai newspaper Matichon.

Polking used to coach many clubs in Thailand. Last season, he became head coach of V. League club HCMC FC but failed to meet expectations. Before V. League 2021 was canceled due to Covid-19, HCMC had only peaked 11th after 12 rounds.

In September, Polking signed a four-month contract to coach Thailand in AFF Cup.

"We will prepare carefully. Let's wait and see what we can do," Polking added.

Thailand are the team with most titles (five), followed by Singapore with four. Vietnam have won the title twice, in 2008 and 2018.

Thailand are in group A with the host Singapore, Myanmar, the Philippines and Timor Leste, while group B includes Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Laos and Cambodia.

AFF Cup will be hosted from Dec. 5 to Jan. 1. All Vietnam's games will be reported live on VnExpress International.