Park during the flag-hoisting ceremony at the My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi before Vietnam’s game against Thailand in the first leg of the 2022 AFF (ASEAN Football Federation) Cup final.
It was his 52nd match with the team during a five-year stint as coach of Vietnam. He and his men have won 26 matches, drew 12 and lost 14, giving him a win ratio of 50%.
Fans hold up a picture of Coach Park and placards making up the words "Thank you."
Park took over in October 2017, and Vietnam’s football has since developed like never before with a series of unprecedented achievements, including second place in the U23 Asian Cup, the 2018 AFF title, their first in 10 years, and the quarterfinals of the 2019 Asian Cup.
The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) announced in October last year that Park would end his contract with Vietnam after the 2022 AFF Cup from December 20 to January 16, and that it was his own decision.
Park shakes hands with his opponent, Thai coach Mano Polking.
The first leg of the AFF Cup final ended 2-2.
The second leg will be played in Thailand.
Park barely sat at the beginning of the game and kept going to the sideline to direct play and also complain to the referees.
The tension was evident on the 65-year-old’s face, as Vietnam faced off against their biggest rivals in Southeast Asia.
But their mood changed at the beginning of the second half as Thailand scored. The goal put Vietnam at a disadvantage because of the away goals rule.
If the teams draw over two legs, the one that have scored more goals "away from home" win.
Park tells his Vietnamese assistant, Le Huy Khoa, who has been with him since day one, his tactical requirements.
Park makes a substitution in the 85th minute, replacing Tan Tai with Van Thanh as right back, and he scored within three minutes after entering, allowing Vietnam to draw level at 2-2.
After the match ended, Park was angry, not with his team's performance but with South Korean referee Ko Hyun Jin.
Park said in the post-match press conference: "Thailand have the advantage, but that doesn't mean we give up. We will try to win in Thailand."
Vietnam need to win or draw 3-3 in the second leg to lift the trophy.
"We just need to win 1-0 in the second leg," Park said. "I don't know why people have to be so pessimistic. The team will try their best in the next game."
When asked about his best memory in Vietnam, he said: "I have been through many tournaments and made many friends over the past five years. I also received support and encouragement from the fans. I will always keep that in my heart as a beautiful memory.
AFF Cup 2022 final first leg: Vietnam 2-2 Thailand
