The chances of the Song Lam Nghe An goalkeeper in the Vietnam U22 team in their opening match at the 33rd Sea Games.
The Vietnam U22 team aims to secure all three points and win by a large margin in their opening match of the SEA Games 33 against Laos U22. In goal, the rivalry between Tran Trung Kien and goalkeeper Cao Van Binh continues to be a key point of interest for many fans in Nghe An province.
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Facing the U22 Laos team is not as easy a challenge as many people think. The Vietnamese national team's match against Laos in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers is clear evidence of this. In that match, Vietnam only scored the opening goal in the 65th minute, capitalizing on a mistake in the opponent's penalty area. This reflects the proactive, disciplined, and numerous defensive style that coach Ha Hyeok Jun is employing.
The U22 Laos squad that came to the SEA Games 33 is almost the core of the national team. Players like defenders Khounthoumphone, Xaysombath, Okham Latsachack, midfielder Damoth Thongkhamsavath, and forward Peter Phanthavong… are all experienced players, creating a relatively stable playing framework.
Against this opponent, the Vietnam U22 team is predicted to dominate possession and press from the start. However, scoring goals will not be easy. More than 10 strikers have scored in recent tournaments, but their finishing efficiency is not high, with most only managing one goal. The absence of a center forward capable of applying significant pressure means that the attacking game will require more variety and precision in the final passing combinations.
The goal for the Vietnam U22 team is to win, and win by a large margin. A favorable goal difference will ease the pressure on Coach Kim Sang Sik's team before the final match against Malaysia U22. If they have a better goal difference than Malaysia, Vietnam U22 only needs a draw to advance.
Therefore, in addition to neutralizing Laos' defensive style of play, the Vietnam U22 team needs to improve their finishing sharpness. This is a crucial factor in achieving the goals that the Vietnam U22 team has set for this match.
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Alongside the goal-scoring task, the goalkeeper position is also attracting much attention. Tran Trung Kien remains the preferred option for coach Kim Sang Sik due to his experience in the V.League and his previous call-ups to the national team. His consistency over the past two seasons gives him a significant advantage.
However, Cao Van Binh's rapid progress has made the competition very interesting to watch. As the only player from Song Lam Nghe An participating in the 33rd Sea Games, Van Binh carries the expectations of fans from Nghe An and of the Vietnam U22 team itself.
At the 2025 Panda Cup, the young SLNA goalkeeper left a strong impression in the match against the Chinese U22 team. His excellent reflexes, intelligent positioning, mastery of the 16.5-meter area, and unwavering fighting spirit made him a standout performer. This wasn't a spur-of-the-moment performance, as throughout his time with the U17 and U20 teams, and at SLNA, Van Binh has consistently shown improvement in every match.
Although coach Kim Sang Sik continued to use Trung Kien in the remaining two matches of the Panda Cup, the door for Van Binh is not yet closed. The opening match against U22 Laos is an opportunity for the coaching staff to consider giving him a chance, especially since the team is likely to dominate in attack. Rotating the squad to prepare for the following matches is also a reasonable approach.
The goalkeeper position itself always holds the potential for surprises. Just one outstanding performance can completely change the coaching staff's selections. The case of Dinh Trieu surpassing Filip Nguyen at the ASEAN Cup 2024 is clear evidence of this. If given the opportunity to play and perform well, Van Binh could certainly close the gap with his senior teammate.
As the sole representative of SLNA at the SEA Games 33, Van Binh's confidence and composure are expected to bring a fresh perspective to the U22 Vietnam goal.
The opening match of the SEA Games 33 is an opportunity for the Vietnam U22 team to assert their strength and build momentum for the road ahead. This could also be a crucial moment for goalkeeper Cao Van Binh. If given the trust and performing convincingly, he could certainly break through in the competition for the number one goalkeeper position for the Vietnam U22 team. Furthermore, the 20-year-old goalkeeper could become a noteworthy factor in the team's journey in this year's tournament.
