International press praises Vietnam Olympics; What is the reason for Xuan Truong's absence?

Japanese newspaper criticizes home team, praises Vietnam Olympic team

Hochi newspaper (Japan) acknowledged the big difference between the two teams: “It took Olympic Vietnam only 3 minutes to break through the Japanese Olympic net after a mistake. They played much better than us in the first half. That was shown through the statistics. While Olympic Vietnam had 10 shots, we only had 1 shot on the opponent's goal.”

Similarly, Nikkan Sports commented: “During the first half, the Japanese Olympic team was almost paralyzed. We only expected a breakthrough with Maeda's breakthroughs. In the second half, we changed but not enough to make a difference.”

Soccer King newspaper said that the Japanese Olympic team had to pay the price for their mistake. They said that coach Moriyasu Hajime and his team should not make the same mistake in the next matches.

In addition, the Japanese Olympic captain playing in the midfielder position, Miyoshi Koji, constantly had to face the Vietnamese Olympic midfield and in those situations, the Japanese Olympic captain was very impressed with Van Quyet. "The number 10 captain of the Vietnamese Olympic team left me with a lot of impressions, playing in the same position as me but when competing one-on-one, he always made it difficult for me. I think he is a good player," said Japanese Olympic captain Miyoshi Koji after the defeat against the Vietnamese Olympic team.

Thai newspaper admits Vietnam Olympics are scary

Even the Thai media was impressed with the strength of the Vietnamese Olympic team. They used beautiful words to praise us, admitting that Vietnam was truly “scary” when it turned the Japanese Olympic team into a “delicious prey”.

The newspaper added: “The Japanese decided to use the U21 team as a precursor to the 2020 Olympics, but they collapsed when facing the Vietnam Olympic team. Quang Hai’s goal in the first half helped the Vietnam Olympic team defeat the “Blue Samurai”.

Despite their efforts, the Japanese Olympic team could not penetrate the net of goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung. The Vietnamese Olympic team deserves applause for taking the absolute lead in Group D.

Meanwhile, Khaosod newspaper called the victory of Vietnam Olympic team over Japan Olympic team… a coup. This newspaper also admitted that if Thailand Olympic team meets Vietnam Olympic team in the round of 16, this will be a difficult challenge for the Thai people.

Thairath newspaper believes that the Vietnamese Olympic team is a difficult team to defeat. They believe that facing coach Park Hang Seo and his team at this time is difficult for any team.

In the press conference after the match against the Japanese Olympic team, coach Park Hang-seo did not mention the situation but only said: "Xuan Truong as well as 20 other players in the Vietnamese Olympic team, when needed, I will put him in the squad."

In the victory over the Japanese Olympic team, Mr. Park Hang-seo proved why he dropped goalkeeper Dang Van Lam to get Do Hung Dung. The player who had just suffered a serious injury played very well with Quang Hai in the midfield.

Even if No. 18 had to leave the field, the alternative was Pham Duc Huy, another player from Hanoi FC. Quang Hai refused to reveal his new role, but when he was on the field, he was always “protected” by one of the two defensive midfielders, not unlike Xuan Truong during the U23 Vietnam era.

With Hung Dung’s experience, who is “a man without lungs”, Mr. Park Hang-seo has a reason to let this player play more. Xuan Truong, obviously, has to step back, waiting for another adjustment when the coaching staff needs him.

In the last two matches, including the 46 minutes against Olympic Pakistan, Xuan Truong has not left any mark. He was absent from the hot spots, lacked the ability to create assists and had no breakthroughs.

Teams participating in the 2018 ASIAD are only allowed to register 20 players, including two goalkeepers. Therefore, every coach wants to have a player who can play multiple roles and provide support when needed.

Without a holding midfielder like Do Hung Dung in the middle of the field, can Xuan Truong take on this role? Or will Duc Huy be the one to fill in? And why is it normal that Xuan Truong continues to not be in the starting lineup?

Malaysia Olympic coach and 5 assistants scout Vietnam Olympic

The match between Vietnam and Japan is considered the "final" of Group D to determine the first and second place. Taking advantage of the break on August 19, Coach Ong Kim Swee and his assistants went to Wibawa Mukti Stadium to watch the two opponents, Vietnam and Japan.

The Malaysian Olympic coach also brought along 5 assistants. Each of Ong Kim Swee's assistants was assigned a different task. One took notes, another videotaped the match for reference. Watching the match from the stands, the coach seemed quite pensive when he saw the Vietnamese Olympic team temporarily leading the Japanese Olympic team with a score of 1-0.

The coach of Olympic Malaysia has probably gathered a lot of information about the two opponents, especially Olympic Japan - the second-placed team in Group D. The match between the second-placed team in Group D and the first-placed team in Group E will take place at 4:00 p.m. on August 24 in Bogor.

Hung Dung stays to cheer for Vietnam in the round of 16

The coaching staff and doctors of the Vietnam Olympic team, late last night, August 19, agreed that Hung Dung would not need surgery. Instead, he was given a cast and splint to fix his broken toe. According to the doctors' protocol, the midfielder of the Hanoi Club will have to rest completely for six weeks.

The coaching staff also agreed to let Hung Dung stay with the Vietnam Olympic team until the end of the round of 16.

Hung Dung did not need surgery, and will stay with the team until the round of 16, instead of flying back to Hanoi today. Photo:Lam Thoa

Coach Park Hang-seo and his team are currently stationed at Harper Hotel in Cikarang City, West Java. The team will stay there until August 21, then move to Bekasi, another city in West Java, to play the Round of 16 match against the third-placed team with the best record in Group B, E or F.

This morning, August 20, the Vietnamese players will be divided into two groups. The players who played against Japan yesterday will practice in private at Samsung Stadium, while the rest will practice recovery at the hotel. In the afternoon, Coach Park Hang-seo will let his players rest.

Pear Flower