Identify the differences between the defense of Vietnam and Thailand

Before round 4, the Vietnamese and Thai teams had only conceded 1 goal.

Up to now, the Vietnamese team is one of the 9 teams participating in the 2020 World Cup qualifiers in Asia that have not lost a match. This list includes Syria (Group A), Australia (Group B), Iraq, Bahrain (Group C), Saudi Arabia (Group D), Qatar (Group E), Japan (Group F), Vietnam (Group G) and South Korea (Group H).

Frequent disturbances

Meanwhile, despite leading, the Thai team has continuously conceded 2 goals, exposing many gaps in the defense. In 4 matches in charge of the Thai team, the Japanese coach has tested new elements in every match. This has allowed coach Tan Cheng-Hoe to exploit the uncoordinated assembly of the Thai defense to win.

Tristan Do is considered the weakest point in Thailand's defense. Photo by Changsuek.

Thailand's central defenders are also not stable. In the match against Vietnam, the Japanese coach used P.Hemviboon (6) and Manuel Bihr (14), but in the last two matches, it was Tanaboon Kesarat (17) and Manuel Bihr (14). In the match against Malaysia, Mr. A. Nishino unexpectedly arranged Elias Dolah (3) to play as a central defender with Manuel Bihr, not Tanaboon Kesarat.

The Vietnamese team is unbeaten at My Dinh Stadium. Photo courtesy

Right-back is also a position that often changes between Tristan Do (19) and Nitipong Selanon (13). In the match at Bukit Jalil Stadium (Kuala Lumpur), Tristan Do initially took charge and at the end of the match, N. Weerawatnodom (15) was brought on to strengthen the attack.

The hole in the right wing

In the 4-man defense line of the Thai team, the right-back position is considered the weak point. The 2 goals conceded by the Thai team were both due to the fault of defender Tristan Do. In Malaysia's first equalizer, Tristan Do let midfielder Abba (14) pass through on the right wing before this player crossed for Brendan Gan (15) to score.

Certainly, after the 1-2 loss at Bukit Jalil Stadium (Kuala Lumpur), Mr. A. Nishino continued to make changes in the defense. Photo: Changsuek.

One position that makes Thai fans worried is central midfielder S.Yooyen (4) played on the right wing. In the 4-2-3-1 formation, Thailand used the midfielder pair P. Sukjitthammakul (16) and S. Yooyen (4), in which Sukjitthammakul played on the left wing and Yooyen played on the right wing. Malaysian players Safawi Rasid (11) and Saymer Kutty Abba (14) continuously penetrated this wing.

Meanwhile, the two central midfielders Hung Dung and Tuan Anh provided excellent support to the three central defenders in organizing long-range interceptions. Our midfielders organized a siege and divided the opponent's attack very well, not allowing them to freely enter the 16.5m area.

Certainly, after the 1-2 loss at Bukit Jalil Stadium (Kuala Lumpur), Mr. A. Nishino continued to make changes in the defense. But clearly, if our team has only conceded 1 goal so far due to the stability of the defense, Thailand has conceded 3 goals due to the constant disruption of the defense.