U23 Vietnam's defense crumbled against West Asian opponents

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

Among the 5 candidates for captaincyU23 VietnamAs previously announced, Tuan Tai was the first person to have the honor in the opening match of a friendly tournament with the top opponents of the continent. The player from Nghe An who is playing for Viettel was assigned to the role of left-sided center back, the center back was Tien Long, who at the SEA Games played left-sided center back and scored a goal in the match against U23 Korea in the Asian tournament, the 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 Thanh Nhan and Van Khang in the 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 the 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 passing, 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 up very quickly to steal the ball and rush straight into the 16m50 box, while Tien Long had only one way to commit a foul to prevent the opponent from hitting Van Chuan in the face. The first red card for U23 Vietnam happened in the quickest, most elementary way like that.

Without a player, U23 Vietnam will of course have a very difficult time keeping the game and the net. What must come will 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 is wrong, 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 go to the same end as the opening match of Mr. Troussier and his students?

Mr. Troussier wanted to innovate, wanted to play with 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 coach, 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, even red cards, penalties, being replaced after the first half like Tuan Tai, Tien Long, Duy Cuong, then Cong Den, Minh Trong, Thanh Nhan... who left the field one after another without their wishes. During the whole match, only Van Chuan, Van Do and to some extent Van Khang, 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 played without control, leading to 2 extremely regrettable yellow cards...

In short, the weaknesses and weak factors were 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 still possible, 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