U23 Vietnam's aerial attack

When analyzing the reasons for the success of U22 Vietnam at SEA Games 30, some people believe that the U22 Vietnam's header scoring tactic was a surprise that coach Park used at SEA Games because in previous important tournaments, Vietnam under this 61-year-old coach rarely materialized opportunities from aerial situations.

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Striker Tien Linh is performing his signature header. Photo: VFF

Checking again, it is true that U23 Vietnam only scored 1 goal in the 2018 AFC U23 Championship from Duc Chinh's header. Similarly, at ASIAD 2018, Olympic Vietnam scored 1 goal. At AFF Cup 2018, the tournament in which we won the championship, the number improved with 3 goals. But if compared with 9 goals from headers that U22 Vietnam scored at SEA Games 2019, it is clear that we have made a leap forward.

Of the 9 goals from headers, striker Ha Duc Chinh, who is not the tallest, scored 5 goals. In addition, Nguyen Tien Linh (2 goals) or Nguyen Thanh Chung, Doan Van Hau (1 goal). Mr. Park requested and the Phu Tho striker proactively "asked to be marked" when moving towards the opponent's tallest player to "hide", creating peace of mind for the opponent.

When in possession of the ball, Vietnam's attacking players do not rush to shoot or pass, but instead actively hold the ball and dribble to force the opponent to commit fouls and earn free kicks. Meanwhile, set pieces and aerial duels are the "new lethal weapons" that U22 Vietnam brings to this SEA Games.

When his teammates run up and receive the free kick, based on the special symbols, Duc Chinh will start moving, choosing the landing point to exploit those situations to specifically score a goal. The free kick experts of U22 Vietnam such as Hung Dung, Quang Hai or Hoang Duc, Viet Hung (if the free kick position is on the right), Trong Hung, Thai Quy (on the left) all "know by heart" the movement of the strikers.

Duc Chinh's frequent scoring from headers also comes from Coach Park's clever corner kick arrangements. Specifically, Duc Chinh will stand right behind a striker or a teammate who is taller than him. That makes it difficult for the opposing team's defenders to pay attention to Duc Chinh. And the Phu Tho striker, with his ability to choose a position and judge the landing point well, has exploited those situations to specifically score goals.

In the 2-1 win over Indonesia, central defender Thanh Chung joined the attack, heading the equalizer for Coach Park Hang Seo's team against the team from the archipelago. The situation of only playing 1 player to score a goal, and the scorer was a defender, so the opponent was surprised. This was a match where before the goal, we were almost completely stuck in finding a way to get into the opponent's goalkeeper's goal.

Duc Chinh is the best high ball player of U23 Vietnam at this time. Photo: VFF

In the match against Singapore, in the 88th minute, from a corner kick, Van Hau headed the ball to Ha Duc Chinh. The move eliminated the Singapore defense, sealing a 1-0 victory for the home team. Remember, aerial duels are quite complicated and in the first half of the match against coach Fandi Ahmad's team, we didn't even have a single shot.

U23 Vietnam's aerial ball playing technique

In Group D, the 2020 AFC U23 Championship, the average height of U23 Vietnam is 176.8 cm, only lower than U23 Jordan's 177 cm, but better than U23 UAE's only 176.6 cm and U23 North Korea's only 176.3 cm. Currently, U23 Vietnam has 10 players who are 180 cm or taller, such as Huynh Tan Sinh, Bui Tien Dung, Nguyen Duc Chien, Nguyen Hoang Duc... who can demonstrate their aerial combat ability in Thailand.

At SEA Games 30, the success rate of aerial combat from corner kicks of U22 Vietnam was 22/45, reaching 49%. The success rate when applying the techniques of outswing, flick-on, and cut-back was 100% and should be promoted.

Inswings only reach 35%, short corners only reach 20%, second balls only reach 50% and need to be improved.

The opponents at the 2020 AFC U23 Championship are all at a higher level than the SEA Games 30, but that does not mean that the Vietnamese U23 players cannot promote their existing strengths. Midfielder Quang Hai will replace Hung Dung to take set pieces and fans are looking forward to the Vietnamese boys' headed goals.