Fourfourtwo Thailand reporter reveals the weakness of the country's U22 team

(Baonghean.vn) - Just like U22 Vietnam, Thailand is preparing for the upcoming SEA Games with concerns in the striker line.

The Vietnam U22 team has almost completed the preparation process for the U23 Asian qualifiers and the SEA Games. What do the Thai press and fans think about their direct opponents at the upcoming SEA Games? Nghe An Newspaper reporters had questions for reporter Bee Uamklat of the famous Thai magazine Fourfourtwo on this topic.

Thailand U22 team. Photo: NCVV

PV: Hello Bee Uamklat, looking at the list of Vietnam U22 team, how do you evaluate our team?

- Vietnam has always been a strong opponent in Southeast Asia. Even U22 Vietnam, you have the youth from generation to generation. And this is also the team that includes the players who helped you go to the U20 World Cup.

PV: In the U22 Vietnam team, do you have any special impression of any player?

- I am very impressed with a player who left his mark on the Vietnam U19 team 3-4 years ago. He plays as a midfielder and has high-class free kicks. I don't remember his exact name but he is playing in Gangwon (Korea) and played quite well at the recent AFF Cup 2016.

Luong Xuan Truong (red shirt) is a player highly appreciated by the Thai press. Photo: Internet

PV: Is that midfielder Luong Xuan Truong, and there is information that he is being targeted by clubs in Thailand?

- Exactly! He is a well-rounded player in both attack and defense and has a very high fighting spirit. I think he is the best player in Vietnam after Le Cong Vinh's generation. Teams in Thailand really want players like that when the mechanism is expanded next year.

However, it will be difficult for clubs in the Thai League because he may still be interested in the K.League. The remaining player is Nguyen Van Toan, a very potential striker in the future. They will be very "hot" names in the transfer market.

PV: Do you think that the upcoming SEA Games will be a fierce competition for both Thailand U22 and Vietnam U22 teams?

- I think this group is quite difficult at this year's SEA Games. Because besides Thailand, Vietnam also has Indonesia. However, I think that Thailand and Vietnam have enough ability to reach the semi-finals. Because Myanmar is a strong opponent and has fallen into the remaining group. As for Malaysia, if both Vietnam and Thailand play at their best, they can overcome them. Even the host because they are not as strong as before. I really hope we will meet in the SEA Games final.

Reporter Bee Uamklat is working for the prestigious Fourfourtwo magazine in Thailand. Photo: NVCC

PV: Meeting each other in the group stage, which way do you lean between Thailand and Vietnam?

- I think it will be a fair and balanced match. Because U22 Thailand is not sharp in scoring goals. The team's strength lies in the midfield, with faces like Sittichok Paso, Chaiyawat Buran and Nutthawut Sombatyotha who are injured will return in time for the 29th SEA Games.

As I see it, the strength of U22 Vietnam is the ability to coordinate. You are training very hard and moving around to defend and attack together. Therefore, it is very difficult for Thailand to defeat Vietnam. When U22 Thailand finalizes the list of 23 players, I will have a closer look.

PV: What about the battle of wits between the two coaches Worrawoot Srimaka of Thailand and Coach Nguyen Huu Thang of Vietnam?

- They are both former national players and they know how to manage and coach young players. I think the head coach of U22 Vietnam has more experience and is rated a little higher. However, coach Worrawoot Srimaka is also very progressive, he is studying the “Pro License” Coaching course and his tactics will also become more diverse. When they meet, it will definitely be a match that bears the mark of these two strategists.

PV: Thank you Bee Uamklat!

Trung Kien