Vietnam team and lessons after the match against China team

Someone can blame Thanh Binh for being heavily at fault for both goals, as well as the fact thatCoach Park Hang-seoadmitting the mistake of making a substitution, but in the end, the Vietnamese team losing by a close margin to an opponent ranked several dozen places higher in the FIFA rankings, with players playing in Europe and a naturalized Brazilian squad, is not a surprise or a disaster at all. On the contrary, the Vietnamese team has a reason to hold their heads high and wait for the upcoming return match at My Dinh Stadium.

The reality on the field showed that the Chinese team had to be cautious during most of the match, sometimes having to give up the field to the Vietnamese team. Statistics after the match showed that many outstanding indicators belonged to the Vietnamese team such as the number of shots 13/12, shots on target 5/4, corner kicks 4/2, ball control time 51/49%, fouls 5/9.

Quang Hai is still the player who initiates dangerous moves into the opponent's goal. Photo courtesy of Song Nghe

While the Chinese team took advantage of their physical strength, stamina and ability to play high balls to score 3 goals, the Vietnamese team demonstrated the connection between the lines, played creatively and explosively to score 2 extremely beautiful goals, causing the opponent to fall into a passive and confused position at times, not to mention the situations that really threatened the home team's goal.

In the first half, the counter-attacks from the combination of Hoang Duc and Van Duc gave Quang Hai and Tien Linh the opportunity to shoot, head the ball... really created confidence for their teammates. In the second half, the Vietnamese team, from being at a disadvantage in terms of physical size and pushing up, "tasted the blow" of the opponent's powerful counter-attacks but never gave up.

Once again, Hoang Duc showed his excellent tactical vision when he passed the ball behind the opponent's central defender so that the substitute defender Tan Tai could handle the ball like a striker, kicking the ball to score the equalizer, opening up hope for the Golden Star Warriors. Then the combination of the trio Cong Phuong-Quang Hai-Tien Linh created a masterpiece in the last minute, equalizing 2-2 for the Vietnam team. It's just a pity that...

Tan Tai scored a classy goal against China. Photo courtesy of Song Nghe

Yes, just a pity that,Vietnam National Teamcould not maintain the great achievements just achieved because football as well as sports is always a game until the last second. The cruel extra minutes not only brought tears to the players and many fans but also left a painful lesson in the journey forward of Vietnamese football. The golden star warriors have matured and grown a lot over time but clearly, the further they go out to sea, the more fierce the waves become.

In the continental arena, Vietnamese football has suffered four consecutive defeats since the end of the second group stage (counting from the matches against UAE, Saudi Arabia, Australia and China) and is unlikely to stop at this number. However, the boat has set sail, the sails have been raised, the sailors have gradually become accustomed to big waves and strong winds, have overcome the situation, and have never "lost their oars" under the command of captain Park Hang-seo.

It is not the time to discuss whether the selection of the main "sailor squad" is right or wrong, excessive or lacking. It is also not the time to talk about whether Mr. Park's troop deployment and formation are truly proactive and flexible. It is easy to see that from the last match of round 2 against UAE until now, the starting lineup of the Vietnam team has hardly changed? The substitutions are also quite similar, for example, Tuan Anh-Van Duc often "exert their strength" for about 55-65 minutes before being replaced, Van Toan, Cong Phuong... often only enter the field for the last 15-20 minutes of the match.

The physical disadvantage caused Vietnam's defense to make many mistakes. Photo courtesy of Song Nghe

Also after 4 matches, only young players Tan Tai and Thanh Binh have been on the field twice in the last minutes of the last 2 matches. Tan Tai has scored excellent goals and can be trusted in the upcoming matches. Meanwhile, Thanh Binh will likely have difficulty in the eyes of the coaches...

Obviously, the biggest problem, the most exposed place of the Vietnam National Team when facing big opponents is the defense. Injuries and penalties are inevitable, but maintaining form and reserve forces is more urgent than ever. The responsibility placed on Que Ngoc Hai's shoulders is not only in the ability to command the defense, command teammates but also personal capacity when there are times when the captain is not present in time at the hot spots?

Certainly, the Vietnam team must regroup, recalibrate the aiming range to be ready to confront the "storms" that are gathering clouds and storms ahead, the match against the Oman team is not easy. Now is the time for the story of "not discouraged by defeat", "winning all, falling all" of the journey to the open sea, losing a lot but also gaining a lot. That is gaining experience, learning many lessons, things that cannot be bought with money, or... naturalizing players, like someone who can win with sweat today but who knows what will happen tomorrow?

Phu Chau