Coach Miura changes his mind, sets goal of reaching the final of SEA Games 28

Having quickly secured a ticket to the semi-finals after a victory over U23 Timor Leste, Toshiya Miura is confident that the U23 Vietnam team will make it to the gold medal match.

Mr. Miura is confident about U23 Vietnam's chances of reaching the final. Photo: Duc Dong.

After a 4-0 victory over U23 Timor Leste on the evening of June 7, U23 Vietnam took the top spot in Group B and is certain to enter the semi-finals. This is the target that Coach Miura registered with the General Department of Sports and Physical Training before departure.

However, the Japanese coach does not want to stop now. “With each match, our players are gradually improving. Therefore, depending on each match, we will have a reasonable arrangement of people. Once we reach the semi-finals, our players will definitely reach the final,” Coach Miura shared.

He also explained why U23 Vietnam played more effectively in this match than in the difficult 1-0 victory over U23 Laos. “U23 Laos played defensively, while U23 Timor chose to play offensively because they still had the goal of reaching the semi-finals if they won. Grasping that situation, we deployed an attack on their weak points on both wings and that was where the four goals in this match originated.”

Commenting on his players, the coach born in 1963 especially praised central midfielder Huy Hung: “He was injured so when he returned he lacked the feeling of the ball in the first match. However, once he regains his form and feeling of playing football, Huy Hung will play very well and dominate the midfield.”

The physical advantage of the U23 Timor Leste players did not prevent the victory of the U23 Vietnam team. Photo: Duc Dong.

In the final match of the group stage, U23 Vietnam will meet U23 Thailand (June 10). A draw will help the boys in red enter the semi-finals as group winners. However, Miura has not revealed his tactical intentions. “Thailand is the strongest team in the region. Therefore, we must find the best way to deal with them,” he said. “Don’t think that we have an advantage, when U23 Thailand currently does not have coach Kiatisuk. It is not an advantage at all because Kiatisuk is a coach, not a player.”

Finally, the Japanese strategist did not forget to thank the fans who always came to the stadium to cheer for his students. "I am very grateful that they always stand by our side and cheer enthusiastically in our matches. They are the ones who gave us the strength to win the ticket to the semi-finals, which we could not do in the previous SEA Games."

The U23 Vietnam players quickly secured tickets to the semi-finals after four consecutive wins. Photo: Duc Dong.

According to VNE