Coach Kim Sang Sik sent the Vietnam U22 team to watch Malaysia play.
On the afternoon of December 6th, the entire Vietnam U22 team went to Rajamangala Stadium to watch the Malaysia U22 vs Laos U22 match to scout their opponents; Malaysia was missing three players, so coach Kim and his team had a 7-day break before the December 11th match.
A notable decision by coach Kim Sang Sik: the entire Vietnam U22 team will be present at Rajamangala Stadium on the afternoon of December 6th to directly observe the Malaysia U22 vs. Laos U22 match in the second round of Group B at the SEA Games 33. This move demonstrates thorough preparation for what is considered a pivotal encounter with Malaysia U22 on December 11th.
"Go see Malaysia" - an insider message.
Midfielder Pham Minh Phuc confirmed this plan just before the morning training session on December 6th: “This afternoon we will go watch the U22 Malaysia team play against U22 Laos to get a closer look at this opponent. The coaching staff will also carefully assess and analyze the opponent to prepare for the upcoming match.” Choosing to watch the match in person instead of just analyzing videos shows that U22 Vietnam wants to understand the rhythm of play, the way they operate, and their real-life reactions, especially since their opponent has just played their first match.
Tactical Corner: Why is attending a live event important?
At the youth level, pre-tournament data is often limited. Attending matches allows coaching staff to directly observe details that are difficult to see on video, such as the pressing structure during transitions, the team's formation when defending on the flanks, or how the opposing coach adjusts tactics at different stages of the match. Against an opponent considered the biggest obstacle in the group stage, "gauges" their opening match allows the Vietnam U22 team to fine-tune their game plan based on the latest information.
Malaysia suffered a loss of key players right before the match.
Malaysia U22 entered the match against Laos U22 without the trio of Fergus Tierney, Aliff Izwan Yuslan, and Ubaidullah Shamsul because their clubs refused to release them. This is a variable that could affect Malaysia's personnel and roles on the field. From a preparation perspective, Vietnam U22 has more basis to observe how they overcome these absences – rotating positions, changing their attacking organization, or adjusting their pressing tactics.
- Players absent for Malaysia U22: Fergus Tierney, Aliff Izwan Yuslan, Ubaidullah Shamsul.
- The U22 Malaysia – U22 Laos match was Malaysia's opening game in the tournament.
Physical fitness and match rhythm: advantage of a 7-day rest period.
Conversely, the Vietnam U22 team has been given favorable conditions regarding the match schedule. The team has a 7-day break before playing their second match against Malaysia U22. On December 5th, coach Kim Sang Sik gave the players a complete rest from training to relax and recharge, before returning to training on the morning of December 6th. This proactive approach to managing physical exertion, combined with direct observation of the opponent, could help the Vietnam U22 team enter the December 11th match with a more stable physical foundation and a clearer plan.
The objective is clear in Group B.
The U22 Vietnam team is considered the stronger side and aims to defeat the "Malaysian Tigers" to secure a place in the semi-finals as group winners. Attending the match on the afternoon of December 6th is part of their overall preparation, alongside maintaining a reasonable training intensity and restoring the team's morale.
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 05/12 | Vietnam U22 team takes a complete break from training. |
| Morning of December 6th | Training resumes. |
| Afternoon of December 6th | Watch the U22 Malaysia vs U22 Laos match at Rajamangala Stadium. |
| 11/12 | Vietnam U22 vs Malaysia U22 |
Key takeaways for the December 11th match
With Malaysia missing three players and having just entered the tournament, directly observing their playing style will help the Vietnam U22 team refine their match plan. The coaching staff and the entire team's preparation efforts – from managing physical fitness to scouting the opponent – are all geared towards a single goal: the best possible result in this crucial Group B clash.
