Historic highlights in an eye-catching match

U22 Indonesia is no longer itself

No longer the image of a "phenomenon" that defeated Thailand, pushed aside a series of tough opponents such as Singapore, Myanmar and was the team that caused the most difficulties for U22 Vietnam on the journey to the final, U22 Indonesia had many difficulties to attack against the well-arranged and tight defense of coach Park Hang-seo.

U22 Vietnam had figured out their opponents before the match took place. Photo: Archive

In order for U22 Vietnam to take the lead, Indonesia had to raise their formation to attack and the red team's defense could not maintain the same annoying style of play as in the group stage match. Losing Evan Dimas right from the beginning of the first half also made it very difficult for Indonesia's midfield to face Hung Dung and his teammates.

Fly high on wings

Against a team with extremely dangerous wing attacks, the burden placed on the shoulders of Van Hau and Trong Hoang in this match is not light. Locking down the opponent's wing corridor, the defensive task of Trong Hoang and the best young player of Vietnam 2018 - Doan Van Hau was completed excellently.

Trong Hoang - Van Hau are the wings that help U22 Vietnam fly high at this year's SEA Games. Photo: Archive

On the attacking front, the U22 Vietnam wingers also regularly support their teammates. As for Van Hau personally, the double goal helped Van Hau affirm his value as a player playing in Europe.

Coach Park Hang-seo and his precise calculations

Choosing Trong Hoang and Hung Dung to add to the U22 list to participate in the 30th Sea Games, sacrificing Van Hau for the U23 Asian Cup taking place early next year; choosing a new lineup with the appearance of 2 strikers at the same time. All these calculations contributed significantly to the historical achievements of Vietnamese football.

Coach Park Hang-seo was praised by his students after helping U22 Vietnam win the Sea Games gold medal. Photo: Dan Tri

The tactical calculations of Coach Park Hang-seo and his coaching staff in the matches against Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand in the group stage helped U22 Vietnam overcome many difficulties to finish the group stage in the leading position. Facing the phenomenon of Cambodia being too familiar with playing on artificial pitches, U22 Vietnam "punished" the opponent's overconfidence with 4 unanswered goals.

And in the final match, which was predicted to be a difficult match, the opponent could not make it difficult for Coach Park Hang-seo for the second time. This victory helped Vietnam Football Team have a 29-match unbeaten streak against Southeast Asian teams and the talented Korean coach helped the men's football team win the first gold medal at the Sea Games after 28 years since integration.

Van Hau and the value of developed football

Playing for SC Heerenveen's youth team has honed the number 5 defender's competitive spirit against attacking players with great physique and technique. This makes it not too difficult for Van Hau to face the attacking players at the 30th Sea Games.

Van Hau has matured a lot after being exposed to developed football. Photo: Document

The double in the final match also helped Van Hau gain another valuable title that many generations of talented young players have not been able to achieve for many years to his impressive collection. With the gold medal, after this tournament, Van Hau will continue to return to the Netherlands to focus all his efforts on the goal of winning an official position in the SC Heerenveen squad.

Gold medal of history, tears of happiness and fulfillment of expectations

28 years of integration with regional football, 6 finals and many generations of talent have not been able to fulfill the wishes of Vietnamese football fans. Tears have been shed, the waiting has been going on for consecutive SEA Games. With a talented coach and a generation of "diamond" players, along with the dedicated preparation of VFF, the support of millions of football fans across the country.

For the first time, the men's football gold medal has been added to the medal tally at the Sea Games. Photo: SEA Games 2019

Thus, under coach Park Hang-seo, we have won the AFF Championship after 10 years of waiting, the SEA Games gold medal after nearly 30 years of waiting in the regional arena. And now, with the core force of the U22 Vietnam team participating in the current SEA Games and the runner-up position, hopefully coach Park Hang-seo and his team will reach the continental arena with impressive achievements at the U23 Asian tournament in Thailand taking place early next year.