'No illusions about power'

(Baonghean) - On the evening of October 27, U19 Vietnam ended its adventure at the U19 Asian Championship against an opponent from the land of the rising sun. Before this match took place, everyone had predicted the result, but still hoped that U19 Vietnam would once again create a miracle like the Vietnam futsal team had defeated the Japanese futsal team before. That hope was well-founded when U19 Vietnam continuously created "earthquakes": passing the group stage against strong opponents such as North Korea, Iraq, UAE and defeating host Bahraih in the quarter-finals to win a ticket to the 2017 U20 World Cup.

In the end, there was no miracle in this match. The "temporary form" that had just flashed by Vietnam U19 was quickly extinguished by the "class" of Japan U19. Only using the second team, without having to play too hard, Japan U19 still easily won against Vietnam U19. Many experts believe that this was a necessary loss so that our young players know where they are and do not have illusions about their strength, even though we have created a miracle story in this tournament.

The U19 Vietnam players still have a lot of work to do, if they don't want to become "ball baskets" at the U20 World Cup 2017.

Commenting on the match, Coach Le Thuy Hai said: Overall, we were inferior in every aspect. Our players lost their identity, entering the game with a very pessimistic and timid attitude. Every time they made a mistake, they seemed scared and abnormal, and when they got the ball, they panicked. We deserved to lose, there was nothing to criticize, but the only thing to criticize is that we should have entered the field with a serious and focused mindset, state, and attitude.

That's the lesson, we lost, of course, we need to face the problem. I'm just sad, but getting here is great.

The question is after this match: With such a level, when participating in the upcoming U20 World Cup, will we become a "ball basket"?

To overcome this, according to experts, we need to be well prepared and also have to stop thinking about how many goals we will lose each match, and think that participating in this playground is a source of pride. We also need to change the way we play so that the children are confident, have to hold the ball, and the weaker ones have to play defensively...

As coach Hoang Anh Tuan said: I can list the problems that my students need to improve and everything needs time. This defeat is not sad, but this is a necessary defeat at a time when the players are elated after the achievement they just made.

This will help U19 Vietnam prepare more thoroughly and fully for the U20 World Cup 2017!

Duc Dung