What tactics will coach Philippe Troussier use when facing U22 Thailand?

It was thought that the match would be fierce and intense to achieve the most favorable result possible, but it seemed that the calculations of each team would make this "rehearsal" take place... gently, moderately, to concentrate on the semi-final match that would take place only 2 days later.

Before the final round of Group B, U22 Thailand is holding a big advantage with 3 wins against U22 Singapore (3-1), U22 Malaysia (2-0) and U22 Laos (4-1), achieving a goal difference of 9/2. The similar result of U22 Vietnam is 3 wins against U22 Laos (2-0), U22 Singapore (3-1) and U22 Malaysia (2-1), achieving a goal difference of 7/2. This means that just needing a draw and a win, U22 Thailand will naturally win the top spot in Group B, whileU22 VietnamThere is only one "way" to win to get what they need, which is to win the group and only have to face the second team in group A. The high possibility in group A is that U22 Indonesia will win the group, U22 Myanmar will win the second place, and the host U22 Cambodia will find it extremely difficult to perform a miracle after having bad results in the past 3 matches.

Ho Van Cuong is an important link in the U22 Vietnam squad. Photo: Hai Hoang

So, if the team that wins Group B will face the second team in Group A, likely U22 Myanmar, of course it will be easier than U22 Indonesia who are winning enthusiastically and sending out strong messages about winning the Gold Medal after many years of waiting. The Thai people will of course not miss the favorable opportunity to win Group B with their inherent strength, with the predicted reality that U22 Vietnam is not... interested, there is no need to put effort into unnecessary things?

After securing a ticket to the semi-finals, Mr. Philippe Troussier himself hinted about this: That he would specifically calculate which lineup to play with in the match against U22 Thailand; that, just 2 days later, the extremely important semi-final match would take place; that if he wanted to win the championship, of course he would not be afraid of any opponent... It was easy to see that the French coach did not put all his strength into the match against U22 Thailand at the end of the group stage, meaning he accepted to finish second to save his strength for the semi-final match against the first team in Group A, U22 Indonesia.

It has long been a fact that sometimes words or information before each match, even a tournament, are just… smokescreens, distracting the opponent. Who knows, the battle-hardened Mr. Troussier will force his students to play with all their might against the “unrivaled and arrogant” Thais to breathe easier in the semi-final match? Who knows, even though it may seem like he has given up, the teacher is hoping that his reserve students who have been “restless” for a long time will play a comfortable, confident and unpredictable match against their opponents?

Van Tung scored a double to help U22 Vietnam win against U22 Malaysia. Photo: Hai Hoang

Therefore, all the information published, all the predictions of the experts are ultimately just for information and cannot confirm anything. Moreover, if everything is clear as day, in reality, there will probably be no coach called "Strategist" or "White Witch" as the respectful and exalted way of calling Mr. Philippe Troussier himself.

Remember, U22 Vietnam at this SEA Games under the French coach is painting a very unpredictable picture: losing miserably at the Doha Cup, losing to First Division and V. League teams before going to Cambodia, no player is a real star, the real "boss" of the team, the captain, the vice-captain is not given the armband... The matches, although won to get 3 points, revealed countless worrying things, the worries later are bigger than the initial worries. But don't forget that U22 Vietnam is getting the best possible results, not having to worry about the final match of the group stage, the players who are suspected are playing better and better like Thai Son, Minh Trong, Van Cuong, Duc Phu, while Van Tung continuously "shoots" and the more difficult the match, the more excellent he plays, while many hopeful factors have not yet really revealed themselves.

To say that, the final match of the group stage against U22 Thailand has not yet taken place, has not yet ended, so it is difficult to know what Mr. Troussier is planning? The players who have long been on the bench such as Duy Cuong, Xuan Tien, Van Truong, Ngoc Thang, Nhat Nam, Quoc Viet, Huy Hoang... will be put on the field from the start is one answer and how far they will play is another answer. There are pillars who will be given a rest to save energy for the semi-final match such as Van Tung for example. But there are also positions in the defense and midfield that will continue to be trained and practiced in this match with a view to the more distant future, which is also something the coach is considering./.