How will U23 Vietnam stand up after a 'hat-trick of losses' at Doha Cup 2023?

The award of the best player of the match for striker Thanh Nhan in this match is a noteworthy recognition. However, the fact that the team failed to score a single goal in three matches, and conceded 7 goals… is a collection of worrying results that the team must overcome as the SEA Games approaches.

Losing in a friendly tournament against high-class opponents is normal, if it will help teachers and students recognize different strengths and weaknesses to compete well and effectively in an official tournament later. Being consistent with the ball control style of play, being proactive in defense and attack with statistics increasing in a favorable direction after each match is a commendable result ofU23 Vietnam.

U23 Vietnam (red shirt) had many opportunities but could not score against Kyrgyzstan. Photo: VFF

Moreover, in order to reach new heights and shorten the gap with the top teams in the continent, maintaining the same playing style, despite its previous success, is considered predictable, even backward, and only widens the gap with the opponent. Mr. Troussier is expected to stick to that mandatory new way of doing things, and he is the one who is trusted enough to shoulder the heavy responsibility, starting from the aforementioned "hat-trick of losses" in a continental youth tournament.

It is known that after the Doha Cup, the players will be returned to their home teams to compete in the V-League, the First Division and the National Cup. From April 19, U23 Vietnam will gather again to start the campaign to defend the SEA Games Gold Medal with 100% young players, without the over-age seniors leading the team as in the previous two successful competitions.

By giving the captain's armband to Tuan Tai, Quang Thinh, Van Chuan, it is clear that Mr. Troussier does not trust any of the above mentioned people, as well as he has not really found out who will be the leader of the playing style in the future. The defense line that concedes goals mainly in high balls, will they be compensated, supplemented or implemented in other ways? The attack line that has not scored, will it be replaced by the immaturity and lack of sharpness of the U20 strikers. Will the team play a skillful attack on the flanks or attack in the middle with what weapons and cards? How to exploit set pieces? Countless questions arise without immediate answers after a tournament that was overwhelming and could not find its true self.

U23 Vietnam has not been able to create clear shots. Photo: VFF

The problem is whether in the V-League or the First Division and the National Cup matches, which young players will continue to be trusted and tested to introduce to the French coach. Or will they still be just reserve players, lucky to be on the match registration list and only enter the field for a few minutes at the end of the match when everything is settled. With only 3 rounds of V-League, in the end, there is not enough "space" for young players to show off their talent as seen before.

It is still the playground of experienced players, foreign players, and overseas Vietnamese players to serve the goals of each team that is spending billions, tens of billions of dong each season. Only a few teams use many young players like Song Lam Nghe An, Hoang Anh Gia Lai when they do not set high goals, only modestly stay in the middle or stay in the league, avoid relegation because it is very expensive but not sure to return as desired.

Teams can also aim for and perfect the ball control style of play like Hanoi FC, Binh Dinh, Hanoi Police... but there are still many teams that apply the traditional style of play, defending well before talking about attacking, leaving the task of scoring goals to foreign players. And the field that meets the ball control requirement is only Hang Day Stadium, Lach Tray Stadium, the rest are... rice fields. That said, Mr. Troussier will face countless difficulties and finding and building a satisfactory, quality squad to serve the new style of play, the new philosophy is completely impossible to achieve in a day or two.

Therefore, saying that U23 Vietnam will soon stand up strongly after a "hat-trick of losses" at the Doha Cup 2023 is too subjective and optimistic. Even if U23 Vietnam transforms and grows as expected, whether they can face opponents like Thailand or the host team Cambodia with favorable results and defend the gold medal or not is still a vague and difficult matter ahead. Don't rush to say that the SEA Games is not the final destination to justify failure, if that happens. Because after the Doha Cup is not successful, if the SEA Games is also not successful, the "double loss" will inevitably lead to a "hat-trick of losses" and they will helplessly stand out of reach for the dream ticket to the World Cup./.

Hoa Bui