U.23 Vietnam has not faced any real challenges but has revealed its limitations.
Vietnam U.23 won 2-1 against Cambodia U.23 on the evening of July 22, ending the group stage with 6 full points, the only team to win all. However, despite the victory, Vietnam U.23's playing style still leaves many questions, especially when opponents like Laos U.23 and Cambodia U.23 have never been considered a big challenge.
The match with U.23 Cambodia showed a clear tactical difference, when the opponent actively played strong pressing instead of defending in large numbers like U.23 Laos, making it difficult for U.23 Vietnam to deploy their playing style.
U.23 Vietnam has struggled before meeting a strong team. Is it capable of winning the championship?
The midfield of U.23 Vietnam also showed weaknesses when lacking a leader, causing the attacks to become deadlocked. Players like Van Khang, Quoc Viet, and Van Truong often made hasty moves, missing opportunities. The team's finishing ability also needs to be improved, when delicious opportunities were missed. In the past two matches, U.23 Vietnam only scored a total of 5 goals, of which one goal came from striker Dinh Bac, one goal from winger Khuat Van Khang, one goal from center back Ly Duc, and two goals from defender Hieu Minh. This is clearly a problem that needs to be solved if U.23 Vietnam wants to go further in this tournament.
U.23 Vietnam will have to improve finishing
PHOTO: Dong Nguyen Khang
However, the flexible substitutions paid off. Dinh Bac came on in the second half and scored the winning goal. It was these tactical adjustments that helped U.23 Vietnam make the difference and win.
U.23 Vietnam needs to improve in many areas
PHOTO: DONG NGUYEN KHANG
U.23 Cambodia (blue shirt) had a very commendable match.
PHOTO: Dong Nguyen Khang
Despite winning 2 matches and entering the semi-finals as group leaders, U.23 Vietnam still faces many challenges. After the match, coach Kim Sang-sik shared that, despite encountering some problems in the match with U.23 Cambodia, he still believes in his players. The opponent in the semi-finals is U.23 Philippines, a team with a balance between attack and defense. Coach Kim Sang-sik hopes that the team will improve their ability to control the match and minimize mistakes in the upcoming matches to aim for the championship.
Coach Kim Sang-sik will have to make many changes to the squad for the semi-finals.
PHOTO: Dong Nguyen Khang
U.23 Thailand also played below par.
Meanwhile, in the final match of Group C, U.23 Thailand also had a hard-fought draw against U.23 Myanmar.
U.23 Thailand entered the tournament with high determination, considering it a stepping stone for the 33rd SEA Games. However, the match against U.23 Myanmar did not go as expected. Despite controlling the game in the first half, Thailand did not create many dangerous opportunities. Their finishing lacked precision, while Myanmar, despite needing a win to enter the semi-finals, had difficulty attacking.
U.23 Thailand struggled to hold U.23 Myanmar to a draw, will meet host Indonesia in the semi-finals
At the end of the first half, Thailand pushed up their attacks but could not score, and in the second half, despite creating opportunities, their shots were still inaccurate. In particular, U.23 Myanmar had a good opportunity in the 73rd minute but could not convert it into a goal.
The match ended in a 0-0 draw. Thailand topped Group B and advanced to the semi-finals to face U.23 Indonesia, the host team. This match is expected to be more difficult if Thailand does not improve their performance as in the match against Myanmar.
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Source: https://thanhnien.vn/u23-viet-nam-chua-gap-doi-manh-da-chat-vat-hlv-kim-van-lac-quan-lieu-phap-tinh-than-chang-185250723111828322.htm
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