When U23 Thailand avoids meeting U23 Vietnam in the semi-finals?

That was the case of the two teams U23 Thailand and U23 Malaysia in the final match, the 4th match of group B when they met two opponents considered weaker, U23 Laos and U23 Cambodia.

Before this series of matches, U23 Malaysia temporarily ranked first in Group B (2 wins, 1 draw, 7 points), U23 Thailand temporarily ranked second (2 wins, 1 loss, 6 points). If both teams win, the rankings will not change and in the semi-finals there will be an "early final" match between U23 Vietnam and U23 Thailand, which is something few people expect because one of the two teams will soon leave the tournament. The head coach of U23 Malaysia also frankly admitted that neither team wants to meetU23 Vietnamthe home team in the semi-finals. But in reality the answer is not quite what the insiders said or expected.

Coach Park requires U23 Vietnam's playing style to be stable. Photo courtesy of Hai Hoang

What needs to be considered is when facing U23 Cambodia and if they need 3 points to consolidate their top position and avoid meeting host Vietnam, why did U23 Malaysia make 8 changes in the 2-2 draw against neighboring team U23 Singapore? Can't it be said that the force deployed in the previous match was weak, mostly reserves and in the match against Cambodia was the core? U23 Malaysia was continuously led by U23 Singapore and U23 Cambodia in both matches and had to fight to the death to score an equalizer. As for trying to win but not being able to beat U23 Cambodia, when the final whistle blew, the yellow-shirted army collapsed on the field, it seems to have proven that it was something they did not want, that they wanted to be at the top of the group, wanted to avoid U23 Vietnam in the semi-finals but their strength and reality did not allow them to do so?

Of course, when U23 Malaysia were held to a draw in two consecutive matches (only winning 2 points out of 6, meaning losing 4 points), it was an opportunity for the team to lose one match (losing 3 points) but win two consecutive matches, winning 6 points, meaning the team that lost 4 points would be ranked behind the team that lost 3 points. U23 Thailand, despite playing hard against U23 Laos, had nothing to lose, but in the end, they achieved their goal of returning to the familiar top spot and avoiding meeting Vietnam in the semi-finals. That was an opportunity that could not be more favorable and of course the Thais would immediately seize it before the Malaysians were careless.

Thus, the regional youth football team entering the semi-finals at the 31st SEA Games is still in the order and long-awaited manner, without any interesting overthrow or usurpation. U23 Cambodia reached the semi-finals at the 30th SEA Games but could not get past the group stage this time, perhaps nurturing great ambitions for the SEA Games at home next year? U23 Philippines, U23 Singapore... can explode in a certain match but cannot yet be a new force in the region.

Coach Park Hang-seo let U23 Vietnam practice behind closed doors, avoiding all prying eyes. Photo: VFF

The upcoming brain-tight match in the semi-finals between U23 Vietnam - U23 Malaysia, U23 Thailand - U23 Indonesia promises to be very interesting. Among the 4 teams mentioned above, U23 Thailand has the best goal difference of 12/2, or +10, U23 Vietnam 6/0, or +6, U23 Indonesia 9/3, or +6 and U23 Malaysia 8/5, or +3. Of course, this is just a reference number but it also proves that U23 Thailand will be the most formidable attacking team, while U23 Vietnam's defensive ability will make the opponents sweat?

Many knowledgeable people know well the confrontations between Vietnam and Malaysia at the national and U23 levels, with the victory currently leaning towards Vietnam. However, if coach Park Hang-seo and his team rely too much on the past, they will certainly face many difficulties in the upcoming decisive match. A team that bravely chooses to meet the host in the knockout semi-final will never be a weak team, and it will even be a very tough opponent?

Playing at a familiar home ground, not having to travel after the group stage, having one more day off, being able to carefully observe the opponent before the brain-numbing match... are not small advantages for U23 Vietnam in the match on the evening of May 19 at Viet Tri-Phu Tho Stadium. To have good results and return to My Dinh to play the final match, Coach Park Hang-seo and his team certainly have a lot of work to do to minimize the deadlock and inefficiency of the 4 group stage matches, master the game and decide their own fate in the face of all calculations and helpless obstructions of the opponent./.