Coach Kim Sang-sik: Vietnam U23 team has reached continental level ahead of the big match against UAE.
After winning all their group stage matches with a perfect 9 points, coach Kim Sang-sik confidently asserted that the Vietnam U23 team has escaped the regional shadow and is ready to compete on equal footing at the continental level.
With a perfect nine points from the group stage, the Vietnam U23 team is brimming with confidence heading into the quarter-final match against the UAE U23 team. At a press conference held on the afternoon of January 15th, coach Kim Sang-sik made confident statements about the new standing of Vietnamese youth football on the international football map.
The new status of Vietnamese youth football.
The South Korean strategist asserted that, based on their performance in the three group stage matches, the Vietnam U23 team has demonstrated capabilities beyond Southeast Asia, reaching continental standards. This is not merely an encouraging statement, but is based on the clear progress in the players' ability to control the game and their discipline.
However, Kim Sang-sik also emphasized that advancing beyond the group stage is only the first step. The quarterfinals are not the final destination in the team's ambitions."The team still has a lot of ambition. The number one priority right now is thorough preparation to defeat UAE,"Coach Kim shared this with the media.
The UAE dilemma: Physicality versus endurance
Assessing their upcoming opponent, the head coach of the Vietnam U23 team showed caution but no fear. The UAE U23 team, which finished second in Group B, is considered a formidable opponent with superior physique, speed, and individual technique characteristic of West Asian football.
Nevertheless, the South Korean strategist believes that the Vietnam U23 team possesses unique advantages to neutralize their opponents:
- Bonding:Their seamless teamwork has been honed through each match.
- Tactical discipline:The ability to quickly switch states and provide good cover between lines.
- Physical fitness level:Vietnam U23 has the advantage of an extra day of rest over their opponents, a crucial factor in high-intensity knockout matches.
Uncertainties about personnel and tactical "smoke and mirrors"
Regarding the team's personnel situation, coach Kim Sang-sik continued to employ psychological tactics by creating a smokescreen surrounding the injury status of two key players, Nguyen Dinh Bac and Le Van Thuan. These two players had to train separately in the most recent training session on January 14th.
Although confirming that his players only suffered minor injuries, Coach Kim refused to reveal their chances of starting the match. This shows the thorough and meticulous preparation of the coaching staff, ready for all tactical scenarios to deal with the representative from West Asia. Flexibility in personnel will be key for the Vietnam U23 team to maintain its element of surprise.
A historic threshold in the Asian arena.
The upcoming match is not simply a test of skill, but also a tense battle of wits between the two coaching benches. The U23 Asian Championship quarter-finals have always been a historic milestone, a stage that has witnessed moments of triumph for Vietnamese football in the past.
To realize their dream of advancing further and competing for an Olympic ticket, the Vietnam U23 team needs to maximize their discipline and composure in crucial moments. Coach Kim Sang-sik's confidence is a vital source of moral support for the young players as they journey to conquer the continental đỉnh cao.
