To get points against Jordan, Vietnam national team should learn from Vietnam U20 national team!

(Baonghean.vn) -On June 13, coach Nguyen Huu Thang and his team will face the strongest opponent in the group, Jordan, within the framework of the 2019 ASIAN Cup.The lessons that the U20 Vietnam juniors have experienced will be very helpful for Nguyen Cong Phuong and his teammates in the match against the team from West Asia.

The preparation of the Vietnam national team for the reception of Jordan did not go as smoothly as expected. In addition to the injuries of Ha Duc Chinh and Ho Tan Tai, coach Nguyen Huu Thang could not summon the number 1 goalkeeper Tran Nguyen Manh (suspended), Nguyen Trong Hoang, Le Van Thang, and Ngo Hoang Thinh were still not able to ensure 100% fitness and could not participate in this training session.

In addition, some players of FLC Thanh Hoa, Hanoi FC, Than Quang Ninh such as Bui Tien Dung, Nguyen Quang Hai, Nguyen Van Quyet, Sam Ngoc Duc, Do Duy Manh, Nghiem Xuan Tu, Nguyen Tuan Linh and Vu Minh Tuan... will not be able to join the team until June 10 because their home teams are still competing in the V. League (make-up match). The time for the players to integrate and grasp the coaching staff's tactical intentions is quite limited.

Vietnam national football team players actively practice before welcoming Jordan national football team at Thong Nhat stadium. Photo: Internet.

That is nothing compared to the difficulties that coach Nguyen Huu Thang and his team will have to face ahead. Jordan is highly rated, at least in a group with Vietnam, Cambodia, and Afghanistan. The resounding 7-0 victory over Cambodia in the first round does not fully demonstrate the strength of the representative from West Asia.

Without needing to analyze carefully, it can be affirmed that Nguyen Cong Phuong and his teammates are only the underdogs in the confrontation with Jordan at Thong Nhat Stadium on June 13.

However, that does not mean that Vietnam will definitely lose to Jordan. Football is unpredictable. With a reasonable strategy and a bit of luck, the team that is considered weaker can definitely get a favorable result.

Vietnamese football itself has done that many times in confrontations with stronger teams. And there is no more useful lesson than what the U20 Vietnam team did at the U20 World Cup 2017 and the U19 Asian Cup last year.

Facing stronger opponents such as U19 DPRK, U19 UAE, U19 Iraq, U19 Bahrain and U20 New Zealand, Coach Hoang Anh Tuan has come up with a reasonable strategy. His tight, disciplined playing style along with his bravery and coolness in every move has put the opponents in a deadlock.

Thanks to the tight defense and quick counterattack tactics, the young Vietnamese players neutralized the opposing team's attacks and seized the opportunity to finish the match. Coach Hoang Anh Tuan's strategy of "knowing yourself and your enemy" was the key to the U20 Vietnam team's miracle.

Coach Hoang Anh Tuan and his players celebrate their qualification to the 2017 U20 World Cup finals after a 1-0 victory over U19 Bahrain. Photo: Internet.

Jordan's national football team has a playing style that is typical of West Asian football "big - strong - slow" and is also similar to Oceania football such as the U-teams of Australia, New Zealand... The disadvantage in physical strength and physique of Vietnamese players is obvious, but in return, our players possess agility, cunning and a good foundation of individual technique.

If the U20 Vietnam team successfully applies the tactics, the team led by coach Nguyen Huu Thang will have at least 1 point. In terms of the ability to create breakthroughs, Nguyen Cong Phuong, Luong Xuan Truong, Vu Minh Tuan... are still better than their juniors.

Of course, coach Nguyen Huu Thang's philosophy is not completely the same as coach Hoang Anh Tuan's philosophy, and the personnel in the Vietnam national team is also very different from the U20 Vietnam team.

In just a few days, it is difficult for the Nghe An strategist to change the playing style that he has been pursuing for a long time. However, with what Coach Hoang Anh Tuan and his students have done during the past time, it is enough for Coach Nguyen Huu Thang to learn valuable lessons, specifically in the match with the Jordan National Team./.

Thanh Hung