'U20 Honduras is better than U20 Vietnam but not a concern'

(Baonghean.vn) – The “little boy” of the Vietnam National Team, former famous player Van Sy Hung, part of the golden generation of Vietnamese football, hopes and believes that the Vietnam U20 Team will make a miracle at the U20 World Cup finals after the match with U20 Honduras.

In terms of strength, in the list of 21 Honduras players participating in the U20 World Cup this year, there are 18 players playing in the domestic national championship and only 3 players playing abroad, but not in very high leagues.

Former football star Van Sy Hung sends his best wishes for victory to U20 Vietnam - Photo: Trung Kien

In the opening match against a strong opponent like U20 France, coach Carlos Tabora launched the starting lineup including goalkeeper Delgado (1), the four defenders: Maldonado (2), Decas (3), Andrade (5) and Garcia (16). The midfielders: Grant (9), Pineda (10), Cruz (14), Vuelto (18), Alvarez (20) and striker Martinez (20).

With such a low-lying squad, U20 Honduras was still able to control the ball up to 44% throughout the 90 minutes. They had 7 shots, 2 on target. Meanwhile, our U20 Vietnam team only controlled the ball 33% and had 0/3 shots on target when meeting France.

Against U20 New Zealand, Honduras, with the goal of having to win, coach Carlos Tabora sent out only 3 defenders, Maldonado (2), Decas (3) and Garcia (16). One holding midfielder and 5 midfielders, with only striker number 19 - Martinez. Therefore, U20 Honduras controlled the ball up to 65%, launched 5/24 accurate shots.

The U20 Honduras team revealed many weaknesses after 2 matches, especially against U20 New Zealand and coach Hoang Anh Tuan can exploit these problems - Photo: FIFA

However, the impatience and fragility of the defense, as well as the limitations in countering high balls, caused the Central American representative to lose 1-3. The only player to score for U20 Honduras, Alvarez (20), also only took advantage of an opportunity that came from a mistake by the New Zealand defense.

While the Vietnamese team met this opponent, they were not at all inferior and even got a draw in a winning position.

Through 2 matches against opponents like U20 France or U20 New Zealand, coach Hoang Anh Tuan is the one who is considered to have a better assessment in terms of tactics as well as the ability to do ideological work for his students.

The team that we held to a draw in the opening match used their physical and speedy style of play to lure U20 Honduras into a counter-attack trap. However, in contrast to the resilient defense of U20 Vietnam, Honduras appeared to be quite stuck and in difficulty if the opponent used the "Pressing" style of play from midfield.

Vietnam U20 team must win big against Honduras U20 if they want to think about getting a ticket to the next round - Photo: FIFA

Honduras still has a significant advantage over U20 Vietnam, which is the improvisational technique and the flexible physical foundation, typical of Central American players. However, these are strengths that U20 Vietnam can control, if we have good preparation for the upcoming match in terms of both mentality and tactics.

Former player and coach Van Sy Hung said: “I am very surprised with the spirit and physical strength of the U20 Vietnam players. If our physical strength was weak, we would have lost a lot. I am very happy and acknowledge that progress. In terms of expertise, it is impossible to ask them to have better results because the World Cup is a very strong playground.

In the previous match, Honduras was so eager to win that they fell into New Zealand's defensive trap. Honduras is not a weak team. Compared to U20 Vietnam, I still think they are better than us.

In football, being slightly better is not a big problem. However, the most important thing is that in this context, neither we nor they have anything to lose. I think this will be a good match. I really hope that the U20 Vietnam team will continue to make history for Southeast Asian football after the match with U20 Honduras. And I wish coach Hoang Anh Tuan and his team success!"

Currently, in Group E, U20 France has secured an early ticket with 6 points. New Zealand is ranked 2nd with 4 points and a goal difference of +2; Vietnam has 1 point and is ranked 3rd with a goal difference of -4; Honduras is ranked last with 0 points and a goal difference of -5. Therefore, the most optimistic goal of U.20 Vietnam is to aim for the third position in Group E. Thereby, there is a chance to continue if they become 4/6 third-placed teams in other groups with the best results.

Trung Kien