Two concerns of U22 Vietnam before the goal of 'hunting for gold' at SEA Games

First of all, it must be said that the SEA Games men's football gold medal has always been the desire of millions of Vietnamese fans. After 29 games, Thailand has won 15 gold medals while more than half a century after the 1959 SEA Games gold medal (the predecessor of the SEA Games), Vietnamese football has not won any more championships.

Thailand Rock

Since 2001, this Southeast Asian tournament has limited the age group under 23. Vietnam has reached the final three times but lost to Thailand (2003 and 2005), Malaysia (2009), not to mention the national team lost to Thailand once also at the 1995 SEA Games.

After finishing second in the U23 Asian Cup, the semi-finals of the 18th Asian Games, the quarter-finals of the 2019 Asian Cup, and especially the AFF Cup 2018 championship, Mr. Park Hang-seo's initial goal was different. It was not until the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Ngoc Thien personally met and talked with the Korean coach that he understood the importance of this gold cup.

Although U22 Vietnam is currently unbeaten in 11 matches (10 wins, 1 draw), Mr. Park still has many worries. Photo: Vietnamfootball

Since the beginning of July, the Korean coach has had four short-term training sessions for the U22 team to gradually get used to the new playing style. According to the latest news, the U22 Vietnam team has canceled its plan to participate in the BTV Cup 2019 in order to review its strength for the SEA Games later this year in the Philippines. However, Mr. Park still decided to urgently prepare for a friendly match with the U22 UAE on October 13 at Thong Nhat Stadium.

Some advantages of Mr. Park and his students

Recently, coach Nishino decided to use all U22 players to play in SEA Games 30, without adding 2 overage players. For the Thais, SEA Games 30 is just a preparation tournament for the U23 Asian Cup finals that Thailand is the host and aims to get a ticket to the 2020 Olympics.

This is a good opportunity for us to realize our dream of winning gold at the 30th SEA Games. But clearly, coach Nishino still has young strikers playing for both the national team and the U22 Thailand team such as Supachai (20 years old), Supachok (21 years old), Suphanat (22 years old).

The Korean coach has had 4 short training sessions with the U22 team to help them get used to the new playing style. Photo: Vietnamfootball

Since the winning streak in the AFC U21 Championship qualifiers in March, Mr. Park Hang-seo has had the strongest squad in his hands. Mr. Park mainly tested new players, helping the players who were called up for the first time get used to his coaching ideas. For many reasons, he could not have enough time for 5 weeks to prepare for the team because he had to adjust (3 times) the V.League schedule for the national team and Hanoi FC to compete in the AFC Cup.

In recent matches, Mr. Park has not had the services of Quang Hai, Van Hau, Thai Quy, Thanh Chung and the injury of central defender Dinh Trong is still in the process of recovery. So even though he has 11 unbeaten matches (10 wins, 1 draw), Mr. Park still has many worries.

Two worries

How to assemble the U22 Vietnam squad so that it operates exactly as he wants. Whether or not to add 2 overage players, and which positions to add are things that coach Park Hang-seo is carefully considering.

Both coach Park Hang-seo and his right-hand man, coach Kim Han-yoon, and the U22 Vietnam players are struggling with the artificial turf. The host Philippines has made it difficult for coach Park and his team to win the gold medal.

Compared to natural grass, artificial turf is harder, making it more difficult for players to move and maneuver, and more prone to injury. Currently, many players are suffering from ankle and knee injuries.