What is the strategy of U23 Vietnam in the 2020 U23 Asian Qualifiers?

Play 3 defenders

Observing recent training sessions of Coach Park Hang-seo, people see that the Korean coach still seems to intend to use the 3-4-3 tactical formation that brought success to U23 Vietnam in the 2020 U23 Asian qualifiers.

It has been a long time since Vietnamese football has had consistency in playing style between national teams. When Dinh Trong returns, U23 Vietnam will probably play with 3 defenders: Thanh Chung, Dinh Trong, Tan Sinh or Duc Chien. The two full-backs Van Hau and Tan Tai have almost completely won the trust of Coach Park.

Coach Park Hang-seo seems to still intend to use the 3-4-3 tactical formation. Photo: VFF

In the 3-4-3 formation, the central midfield pair is the most headache for the coaching staff, even for the national team, Mr. Park still rotates many players. The names Quang Hai, Xuan Truong, Duc Huy, Hung Dung are put together by coach Park Hang-seo depending on each match. It seems that the "panning for gold" is repeating in U23 Vietnam, Mr. Park is spending a lot of effort to transfer this style of play to young players. Currently, at the club level, very few teams play with this formation.

In the shortlist of 23 players, coach Park has players who can take on the role of central midfielder, namely Trieu Viet Hung, Bui Tien Dung, Nguyen Hoang Duc, Nguyen Thanh Son, Truong V. Thai Quy and of course captain Quang Hai who used to play this position in the national team.

Quang Hai is a versatile player and more than anyone, Mr. Park Hang-seo sees that returning him to his natural position as a winger will help him fully develop his ability to dribble, shoot from afar and create. Therefore, it is unlikely that Quang Hai will play as a central midfielder for U23 Vietnam.

A prediction of the optimal lineup of U23 Vietnam without Dinh Trong. Photo: VNF

"Four pillars" of the midfield

While Quang Hai is likely to play in his preferred position as an attacking midfielder, observing the team formation shows that the following 5 names have caught the eye of the Korean coach for the position of conductor of the U23 Vietnam team. They are Nguyen Hoang Duc, Tran Thanh Son, Bui Tien Dung, Trieu Viet Hung and possibly Truong Van Thai Quy. Looking at the players who have been trained in football skills by Mr. Park, it can be seen that Tran Thanh Son (HAGL) and Bui Tien Dung (SHB Da Nang) will play lower, in a defensive role, using more long passes.

Meanwhile, Hoang Duc (Viettel) and Viet Hung (HAGL) were placed higher up in the organization and playmaking roles. They were brought out by Korean assistants to practice breakthroughs or coordination in the middle. Recently, Viet Hung has often played in this position for the Mountain City, so it is not too strange.

Midfielder Hoang Duc (14) is expected to play an organizing role. Photo: Anh Khoa

Midfielder Hoang Duc, who has long played as a striker, now plays as an organizing midfielder and is considered a new discovery by Mr. Park. With Nguyen Hoang Duc and Tran Thanh Son both being vice-captains, their chances of playing are considered higher than their teammates. Hoang Duc has a good football mindset but is at a disadvantage in terms of physique and fitness.

When facing a strong opponent, prioritizing blocking ability, the duo Thanh Son (HAGL) and Bui Tien Dung (SHB Da Nang) will be on the field like Duc Huy and Hung Dung on the national team.

On the attacking front, Coach Park still trusts Ha Duc Chinh instead of Thanh Binh for the center forward position, supporting this striker are Quang Hai, Danh Trung or Xuan Tu. Coach Park also has center back Thanh Chung who used to play as a striker for Hanoi FC or Thai Quy who can play right back.

Coach Park Hang-seo has always had many surprises. Even in tactical training sessions, people have seen his diverse use of players. Even the 3-4-3 formation of U23 Vietnam has been flexibly transformed under the hands of the Korean coach.

On Sports' prediction of the official U23 Vietnam squad. Photo: On Sports

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