U23 Vietnam's defense crumbles against West Asian opponent

At first glance, it seemed like a “defensive disaster” against a physically tall opponent, playing effective high-pressing, with many players currently competing in Europe. But if we calmly review, the mistakes and errors of U23 Vietnam in this match were… necessary, so that the coach can continue to correct and improve his students in the upcoming matches and tournaments.

Among the 5 candidates for captaincyU23 VietnamAs previously announced, Tuan Tai was the first to be honored in the opening match of a friendly tournament with the top opponents in the continent. The player from Nghe An who is currently playing for Viettel was assigned to play as his favorite left-sided center back, the center back was Tien Long, who played as a left-sided center back at the SEA Games and scored a goal in the match against U23 Korea in the Asian tournament, the right-sided center back was Duy Cuong. The two central midfielders were Cong Den and Duc Viet, along with Minh Trong and Van Do, forming the midfield. The highest player on the attack line was Van Truong, next to him were Thanh Nhan and Van Khang in a 3-4-3 formation.

U23 Vietnam has collapsed since the moment they lost a player. Photo: VFF

Thus, this squad has 3 U20 players: Van Khang, Van Truong and Duc Viet, along with seniors who played in SEA Games 31 under Park Hang-seo and the U23 Asian Cup under Gong Oh-kyun such as Van Chuan (goalkeeper), Duy Cuong, Tien Long, Cong Den, Van Do...

In fact, U23 Vietnam tried to play small, fast passes, bringing the ball from below but could not control the game, could not find teammates in favorable positions because they were always surrounded, separated, and blocked by the opponent. Therefore, the central defenders could only pass back or pass sideways, and the first mistake belonged to captain Tuan Tai in the 21st minute of the match. Duy Cuong was not quick to detect the opponent rushing forward to steal the ball and rush straight into the 16m50 box, while Tien Long had no choice but to commit a foul to prevent the opponent from hitting Van Chuan in the face. The first red card for U23 Vietnam happened so quickly and in the most elementary way.

Losing a player, U23 Vietnam will of course have a very difficult and tiring time to maintain the game and keep the net. What has to come has to come, even though Mr. Troussier continuously adjusts the players and the tactical diagram. That is when the opponent accelerates, passes the opponent neatly in front of the U23 Vietnam penalty area, so that Duy Cuong is forced to commit a foul and is awarded a penalty in the last minute of the first half, so that Xuan Thinh enters the field at the beginning of the second half and cannot stick to the opponent so that they score from a low shot into the far corner in the 60th minute, so that Thanh Thinh enters the field after Tien Long receives a red card, cannot prevent the skillful cross into the goal area so that the opponent can head the ball close to the goal in the 85th minute.

U23 Iraq played with overwhelming force against U23 Vietnam. Photo: VFF

After the match, Mr. Troussier said that the problem is not who made the mistake, not the failure, but the main thing is that he needs to see clearly, the players need to clearly recognize all mistakes and errors to overcome and correct, especially in the upcoming match against U23 UAE. Obviously, this is clear as day and the coach does not say it, everyone knows. Remember, U23 Vietnam under Mr. Park Hang-seo or Mr. Gong Oh-kyun have both met big opponents in East Asia, West Asia, but the seniors did not let things end up like the opening match of Mr. Troussier and his students?

Mr. Troussier wanted to innovate, wanted to play ball control, did not like to play defense-counterattack as the ultimate weapon... and many other new things, but his students could not do anything possible. Was it because everything was unfamiliar, not yet proficient, and the opponent played too well? Was it because the players had rarely played at the highest level, so when entering the match, they made personal mistakes while wanting to prove themselves to the new teacher, so they played awkwardly and badly?

There will be no chance to fix it if the central defenders make mistakes that lead to red cards, penalties, or substitutions after the first half, as Tuan Tai, Tien Long, Duy Cuong, Cong Den, Minh Trong, Thanh Nhan, etc. left the field one after another without their wishes. During the entire match, only Van Chuan, Van Do, and to some extent Van Khang and Duc Viet played at their usual level. In the middle of the field, Cong Den was surrounded, leading to chaos, and the replacement, Minh Khoa, could not control himself, leading to two extremely regrettable yellow cards...

In short, the weaknesses and weak factors have been clearly shown after an opening match. Mr. Troussier and his students will be forced to review everything seriously, receptively and take timely remedial measures. If the situation does not improve in a positive direction in the upcoming match against U23 UAE, it is very likely that Mr. Troussier will have to... dismantle and rebuild while he still can, by supplementing and replacing the force, especially calling up the players who are being retained to play in the V-League and the First Division, even though time is running out./.

Bui Hoa