Coach Hoang Anh Tuan: 'We can resolve the match with U23 Iraq by penalty shootout'

On the afternoon of April 25, the press conference before the quarter-final match of the U23 Asian Cup between the U23 Vietnam team and U23 Iraq team took place.

Sharing his goal, coach Hoang Anh Tuan said: “U23 Vietnam is ready for the match against Iraq in the quarter-finals of the 2024 AFC U23 Championship. Of the two teams, only one will advance. For me, whether Vietnam or Iraq makes it to the semi-finals is a great thing.”

Before the match against U23 Iraq, U23 Vietnam lost 0-3 when facing U23 Uzbekistan in the final round of the group stage (Group D). Coach Hoang Anh Tuan affirmed that he and his students had made careful calculations and were not discouraged after this defeat.

"Although losing to U23 Uzbekistan in the last round of the group stage, U23 Vietnam still has better points with two wins against U23 Kuwait and U23 Malaysia. The loss does not affect the team's spirit. We are preparing the best for the quarter-final match with U23 Iraq. That is the important thing.

If U23 Iraq and U23 Vietnam both entered the semi-finals, it would be more complete. But now the two teams have to face each other. We always respect all opponents. I told the players that all teams are strong teams, forcing U23 Vietnam to focus their minds for tomorrow's match," coach Hoang Anh Tuan emphasized.

Evaluating the opponent U23 Iraq, coach Hoang Anh Tuan said: "U23 Iraq lost the first match against U23 Thailand but they are not a weak team. U23 Vietnam tries to concentrate, still has a chance against U23 Iraq.

Until we compete, we cannot predict anything. I cannot share about the professional preparation of U23 Vietnam, but we are certainly ready for everything, even the scenario that the match can be resolved by penalty shootout.

Once again, I strongly believe that U23 Vietnam will show a different face against U23 Iraq compared to the loss to U23 Uzbekistan."

U23 Vietnam is expected to make a second achievement in the continental playground after the first time in 2018 under the reign of coach Park Hang-seo. Coach Hoang Anh Tuan shared: "In football, the past is the past. In the 2018 U23 Asian Cup, U23 Vietnam reached the final against U23 Uzbekistan, which does not mean we will reach the final again this year.

The same is true about the head-to-head record between Vietnam and Iraq. We have failed many times against them, but that does not mean history will continue. The difference in strength and expertise does not necessarily determine the outcome of a match. The victory of a match has many factors. I think the chances are divided equally between each team. I hope that tomorrow's match will change history," coach Hoang Anh Tuan emphasized.

According to the plan, this afternoon (April 25), the U23 Vietnam team will have a training session to practice tactics and select personnel for the starting lineup for the quarter-final match against U23 Iraq. This match will take place at 8:30 p.m. local time on April 26 (0:30 a.m. on April 27, Vietnam time)./.

Hai Hoang