Asiad 2018: Coach Park Hang Seo points out Syria's strengths, Vietnam awaits gold in athletics

Coach Park Hang Seo points out Syria's strengths

Coach Park Hang Seo. Photo: Internet

Before the quarter-final match against U23 Syria, coach Park Hang Seo commented: “U23 Syria deployed quite a lot of players in the middle of the field. They are very flexible between attack and defense. I think this is the strongest team that U23 Vietnam has ever met at the ASIAD.

U23 Syria is not as weak as they say. According to our research, they have 16 players who participated in the U23 Asian Cup in China, 3 players over 23 years old, and only one completely new player. Their strength has probably increased, not decreased.

U23 Syria only practiced 2 exercises before the quarter-final match with Vietnam

Syria said they will play patiently, waiting for the opportunity to attack Vietnam.Photo: Lam Thoa

Syria decided to practice behind closed doors in the last day of preparation for the men's football quarter-final match against Vietnam in the 2018 Asian Games. Coach Alfakeer Muhannad did not allow the media to film or take pictures for even a minute. He carefully asked 10 volunteers to stand guard.

According to the schedule, Syria had two hours of training. However, the Gulf team only used half of the allocated time. During the training session on the side field of the Bung Karno Sports Complex, coach Alfakeer Muhannad only gave his players two exercises.

Syria has practiced the move down the wing and passing the ball inside. However, they not only take advantage of tall players in the air but also often make low crosses, feints, and pass the ball to teammates behind to finish. The strikers of this team are also very active in running across the goal, attracting defenders to follow so that teammates have space to finish.

The second exercise Syria practiced was penalty kicks. Coach Alfakeer Muhannad had eight players take the penalty kicks over a 20-minute period. At the AFC U23 Championship in January, Syria dominated, creating many chances but failing to score. The 0-0 draw eliminated them, while Vietnam advanced and later made a big splash by winning the silver medal.

This rematch is a knockout match. If the two teams are still tied after 90 minutes of regulation and 30 minutes of extra time, the match will be decided by a penalty shootout.

Chinese media admires U23 Vietnam

Sina (China) has just praised the achievements of Vietnamese football in recent times. “In the past, Chinese football fans never considered Vietnam an equal opponent, and were even considered a weak team.

However, now they have reached a higher level while Chinese football has regressed. Vietnam is now a giant of Asian football and has become a difficult obstacle for other teams to overcome. If they had to face Vietnam, China would not have any advantage, because their brave fighting spirit is extremely scary. With a scientific defensive and counter-attacking style of play, they have created an earthquake from the U23 Asia to the ASIAD.

However, it is not easy for U23 Vietnam to reach the final when they still have Syria in front of them and even if they can overcome, there will still be Korea or Uzbekistan blocking their way in the semi-finals." - Excerpt from an article on Sina page.

Korean newspaper believes U23 Vietnam will create miracles for Southeast Asia

News pageSPOTVNEWSwrote: “Reaching the quarter-finals of the 18th ASIAD in Jakarta-Palembang (Indonesia) is a result beyond Vietnam's expectations. This is the best achievement in the history of participating in the Asian Games that this country's football has ever conquered.

Vietnam is capable of defeating Syria in the quarterfinals to open up the opportunity to win an ASIAD medal. If they do, they will win the first Asian Games medal for Southeast Asia in 44 years, since Myanmar won two consecutive gold medals in 1966 and 1970.”

Waiting for gold in athletics

At 6:40 p.m. today, Vietnam's hope for a gold medal in athletics at the 18th ASIAD, Bui Thi Thu Thao, will enter the final of the women's long jump. Thao's direct competitor is none other than "familiar" Maria Londa (Indonesia).

Will Bui Thi Thu Thao win a historic gold medal for Vietnam at the 18th ASIAD? Photo: Zing

In tonight's match, can Thu Thao once again defeat Maria Londa to win a historic Asian Games gold medal for Vietnamese athletics?

Also participating in the long jump final, Vietnamese athletics also had athlete Nguyen Thi Truc Mai.

In addition to the women's long jump event, at 6:45 p.m., Quach Thi Lan is likely to win a medal in the women's 400m hurdles final.

In pencak silat, Tran Thi Them will compete for the gold medal in the women's 50-55kg category against Wita (Indonesia) at 2:30 p.m. Nguyen Thai Linh will compete for the gold medal in the men's 55-60kg category against Yudani (Indonesia) at 3:30 p.m.

In Pencak Silat, 6 athletes won tickets to the final. This means that the Vietnamese delegation will have more opportunities to win gold medals.