Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Nay Pyi Taw: Coach Kim Sang-ho has backed his defending champions Korea Republic to repeat their success at the AFC U-19 Championship in Myanmar this month ahead of facing Vietnam in Thursday's Group C opener at Wunna Theik Stadium.
Two years ago in the United Arab Emirates, the Koreans claimed their tournament-leading 12th AFC U-19 Championship title after edging out Iraq on penalties in the final.
And after seeing continued success across the board for his nation's development sides in 2014 – gold medal at the 2014 Asian Games followed a runner-up spot in the AFC U-16 Championships and successive semi-final finishes at the AFC U-22 Championships and AFC U-14 Championships – Kim is determined to claim back-to-back titles this month in Myanmar.
"As the defending champions our aim is to achieve the same result as before and win this title once again," said coach Kim.
"We don't feel pressure as defending champions. Instead, we feel more responsible and dedicated to achieving a good result and putting on a good display.
"If anything, we want to show that we have upgraded this team since the last tournament."
Meanwhile Vietnam, who exited the 2012 edition without picking up a point, were boosted by reaching the final of the 2014 AFF U-19 Championship last month and now aim for a semi-final place in Myanmar, and with it qualification for the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
"Our target is to get the ticket to go to the World Cup as semi-finalists, but also to play good football and give pleasure to the fans in the stands and watching at home," said Vietnam coach Guillaume Graechen.
"Although I've only been in charge of these players for around a year now, many of them have come from the academy that I set up seven years ago.
"Tomorrow we will try to do our best in our opening game and it's a great experience for my players as many don't play in competitions or leagues."
In Wednesday's other Group C match, also at Wunna Theik Stadium, six-time runners-up Japan face 2004 finalists China.
"We have missed the last three U-20 World Cups, so it's really important that we get the World Cup ticket this time," said Japan coach Masakuzu Suzuki, who helmed his side to victory in the 2014 AFF U-19 Championship over Vietnam last month.
"We have played in many different tournaments throughout the year to prepare for this championship. It's important not just for our team but for the whole Japan Football Association.
"We're in a tough group – the group of death – all four teams have different styles of play so it should be difficult but also a good experience for my players."
AFC U-19 Championship winners in 1985, China have struggled of late in the continent's youth championships having crashed out of both the AFC U-22 Championship and AFC U-16 Championship at the group stage this year, and coach Zheng Xiong is under no illusions about the magnitude of the task in Nay Pyi Taw.
"In our group we have three strong teams to face. Japan and Korea, in particular, play better football have better technique than us, we admit that," said coach Zheng.
"But in the AFC youth championships anything can happen and we will look to be competitive nonetheless.
"All I ask is for my players to perform their best tomorrow and make our fans back in China satisfied by our efforts and result."