U23 Vietnam: Will the long road show a 'good horse'?

Three out of four matches in Group A of the men's football at the 31st SEA Games of U23 Vietnam all followed the same scenario: the home team attacked from all directions, the opponent defended defensively, playing fiercely to minimize all risks. The two matches in which U23 Vietnam did not let the opponent leave the field at will were the resounding opening match against U23 Indonesia 3-0, and the hard-fought 1-0 victory over U23 Myanmar, but Coach Park Hang-seo and his team were powerless to penetrate the well-organized defense of U23 Philippines in the second match, when this team still had enough physical strength and tactics to hold back the home team.

Hung Dung dribbles the ball during the victory over Myanmar at Viet Tri Stadium on the evening of May 13. Photo: Lam Thoa

That is when all opponents in the region understand very well the strength of U23 Vietnam, without anyone telling them to, they all choose the tight defense-quick counterattack style which is the playbook that leads to the success of coach Park Hang-seo and his team to practice this style of play. And this strength of U23 Vietnam when used by opponents makes it difficult for the team to use its weakness to break down all the solid defensive walls that are always set up in front of the opponent's goal. The problem is that U23 Vietnam must create a balance between attack and defense, create suddenness, surprise, smooth coordination and coolness in finishing... like in the match against U23 Indonesia, or at least in the match against U23 Myanmar.

Of course, any strong team has certain weaknesses, certain Achilles' heels. After 3 group matches, up to now, U23 Vietnam has not conceded a goal but it cannot be said that goalkeeper Van Toan has played well, especially in corner situations. The three central defenders still only have Thanh Binh and Viet Anh to ensure their positions, while the right central defender is still rotated between Tuan Tai and Tien Long and this is not reassuring. The midfielders playing next to Hoang Duc-Hung Dung in 3 matches have always been Hoang Anh or Cong Den, in the last few minutes with Quang Nho. Hoang Anh defends well, participates in many attacks but has not been lucky, while Cong Den is more flexible and more open in handling. Playing forward with Tien Linh are Van Tung and Manh Dung, not to mention Thanh Minh.

Myanmar (white) played defensive counter-attacks, causing many difficulties for Vietnam. Photo: Lam Thoa

In the first half of the last 3 matches, U23 Vietnam could not score and everything only happened in the second half of the 2 matches against U23 Indonesia and U23 Myanmar. That was when Mr. Park Hang-seo brought Tuan Tai to play as a left-sided center-back, Van Xuan to the left wing, Van Do to the right wing and everything became more "favorable" for the whole system. Remember the situation where the U23 Myanmar striker dribbled past both Thanh Binh and Viet Anh to face Van Toan, then you can see that if Mr. Park Hang-seo trusted Tuan Tai in the left-sided center-back position, it would be more beneficial and more effective, when this center-back was quick to clear the ball and take a corner kick in an extremely dangerous situation.

Remember that the 4 goals scored by U23 Vietnam so far have the mark of 3 players over 23 years old, including Tien Linh (first goal), Hoang Duc-Tien Linh-Hung Dung (second goal), Hoang Duc-Hung Dung (fourth goal). Meanwhile, young players Van Do passed the ball to Manh Dung to assist in the first goal, Van Do scored the third goal and Van Do himself assisted the fourth goal. Obviously, Mr. Park Hang-seo's choice of 3 players over 23 years old is completely correct and effective, while Tuan Tai and Van Do are 2 young players who played excellently, and are interesting discoveries of U23 Vietnam at this 31st SEA Games.

Certainly, the story of the group stage is not too complicated when the last match of U23 Vietnam only met U23 Timor Leste, the team that lost all 3 previous matches. Things will become more difficult, more nerve-wracking when in the semi-finals, it is very possible that U23 Vietnam will meet the great rival U23 Thailand. While U23 Thailand plays better as they go deeper into the tournament, as is often seen in strong teams, U23 Vietnam is not showing that, if not the opposite? Using all their strength, putting all their resources and strength to have a convincing victory right from the first match, U23 Vietnam then showed a very worrying deadlock and hardship? Is that proof of a team that will defend the SEA Games gold medal in men's football?

Hopefully, from the coaching staff, from the pillars over 23 years old as well as the young factors will know how to overcome difficulties in the upcoming decisive matches. Hopefully there will be more breakthroughs from those who have long been hopes such as Van Xuan, Thanh Minh, besides the further advancement of Tuan Tai, Van Do, Manh Dung... or the attacks from Thanh Binh, Viet Anh when the opportunity suddenly comes, like the story of waiting "the long road will tell the good horse"? Youth football often starts with unexpected, unpredictable developments and hopefully this generation of U23 Vietnamese football will do miracles, beyond all speculation of experts and fans near and far...

Chau Phu