Vietnam National Team "trains troops, adjusts sights" before arriving in the Philippines

Mr. Park did very well when facing strong teams in Asia. However, in this Southeast Asian tournament, the opponents are not strong, they cannot impose their style of play on us, so we are confused. This problem needs to be improved soon before going to Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City, to meet the Philippines team.

Adjust the sight

According to statistics, after 4 group stage matches, Coach Park Hang-seo's students launched 56 shots in total but only 28 of them were on target, reaching 50%. 28 times putting the ball into the goal, but in the end, the Vietnamese players only scored 8 goals, reaching 28.5%, a very modest number.

Among the four teams in the semi-finals, Vietnam's scoring efficiency is only better than Malaysia's but far behind Thailand's. If they do not improve their ability to finish attacks soon, Coach Park and his team will certainly face many difficulties in the semi-finals.

Who will win in the battle of wits between the two top coaches in Southeast Asia today? Photo: Internet

Among the 4 teams that reached the semi-finals of the AFF Cup 2018, our opponent, the Philippines, is the team with the weakest attack. After 4 group stage matches, the Azkals only scored 5 goals, far behind Thailand (15 goals), Vietnam (8 goals) and Malaysia (7 goals). However, in terms of efficiency, coach Sven-Goran Eriksson's students are still better than Cong Phuong and his teammates.

In addition to the lack of accuracy in the shots, the quality of the passes is also a problem. In the group stage, we used a lot of long passes, without surprise. The attacking players often shot the ball when the opposing defenders were pressing, so they often rushed and did not have time to adjust.

Certainly, the chances for Vietnamese strikers in the semi-finals are not many because the most notable factor in the Philippine defense is center-back Alvaro Silva. Due to personal issues, the Spanish player could not play in the opening two matches against Singapore and Timor Leste. However, in the following two matches, this 34-year-old veteran made a strong impression, helping the Azkals achieve two good results against Thailand and Indonesia to win the ticket to the next round.

Alvaro Silva is 1m87 tall, with an ideal physique for aerial ball disputes. Previously, the Spanish player played for Hanoi FC (in 2017), so he is familiar with Van Quyet's style of play and the Vietnamese players. This central defender is highly regarded for his ability to direct the Philippines' defense, so if we want to win, we must know how to seize opportunities.

Change the ammunition loader

“The team that has less possession of the ball does not always win. I want the Vietnamese team to control the ball well and know how to seize opportunities” - Mr. Park has discovered the problem. However, he currently does not have a central midfielder with steel - both good at fighting and creative.

In the Vietnam national team, there are quite a few central midfielders but each one has only one specific skill. Typically, Xuan Truong has long passes to launch accurate attacks but his defensive ability is too weak. Duc Huy is active and enthusiastic but does not have sharp and delicate passes.

Van Duc is the Vietnamese player with the most powerful shot. Photo: Trung Kien

Quang Hai is still excellent but only when placed in his best position as a winger can he show his full potential. In Mr. Park's hands, only Huy Hung has not been tested after injury. Choosing who to play this position when facing the Philippines is still a problem that Mr. Park is having a headache with.

Mr. Park wants Vietnam to improve their ball control skills because in the semi-finals, the advantage in attack will belong to the team that controls the rhythm well. Doing this will free up some of the defensive duties for captain Van Quyet, increasing the necessary cohesion and sharpness for the attack.

Vietnamese audiences have just witnessed coach Sven-Goran Eriksson disrupting the play of host Indonesia at Utama Gelora Bung Karno Stadium. The experienced coach cannot immediately raise the level of the Philippines team, but he has enough tricks to gain an advantage at certain times. So, it is necessary for Mr. Park to "train his troops and adjust his guns" at this time!