Vietnam U22 relaxes, temporarily putting aside tactics before facing Malaysia.
During their rare day off, the Vietnam U22 team focused on recovery: playing table tennis in the hotel lobby, going to the gym, and playing video games to relieve stress. The coaching staff attended the Malaysia U22 vs. Laos U22 match at Rajamangala Stadium before resuming training on the afternoon of December 6th.
During a rare break between SEA Games, the Vietnam U22 team temporarily set aside their tactical training to prioritize energy recovery: playing table tennis in the hotel lobby, doing light physical training in the gym, and relaxing with video games. The team maintained discipline, with each group reporting to the coaching staff before each activity. The Vietnam U22 team will return to training on the afternoon of December 6th, while the coaching staff sent representatives to the Rajamangala Stadium to watch the Malaysia U22 vs. Laos U22 match to gather data for the crucial match against Malaysia U22 on December 11th.
The hotel lobby has been turned into a "ping-pong court".
The highlight of the day off was the hilarious table tennis matches. The hotel lobby was transformed into a "mini-court," where the players showcased their skills in a competitive yet fun atmosphere, creating a fresh feeling before the decisive match. Many players demonstrated their talent with rackets and tables, helping the whole team relax while maintaining their sharpness.
Discipline on a day off
Despite the break, the team's discipline remained intact. All activities were reported to the coaching staff to ensure the workload was controlled and to avoid unplanned events. Many players voluntarily engaged in light exercise to maintain their rhythm, thereby preserving their ball control without overexerting themselves physically.
Psychological recovery from a coach's perspective.
Coach Kim Sang Sik emphasized that a relaxed mindset is just as important as physical condition, especially before crucial matches at the SEA Games. A balance between light exercise and mental relaxation helps players relieve stress, sleep better, and prepare for the strenuous period leading up to competition.
Besides table tennis, one group of players chose to work out lightly in the gym, while another group enjoyed themselves with video games. This flexible grouping caters to individual needs while maintaining a common goal: recharging energy.
Team bonding: cheering on the Vietnamese women's national team.
Besides recovering, the U22 Vietnam team also joined hands to support the Vietnamese women's team in their opening match against Malaysia. More than just a show of support between the two teams aiming for medals, the atmosphere of cheering was seen as a kind of "mental doping" for the young players.
Scouting for the enemy at Rajamangala
Alongside their rest days, the coaching staff sent representatives to Rajamangala Stadium to watch the U22 Malaysia vs. U22 Laos match live. The data collected from this match will be crucial for adjustments in the final group stage match. Attending the game in person allows for an updated assessment of the opposing team's personnel and tactics at each stage, thus enabling the preparation of appropriate strategies for the match against U22 Malaysia.
Personnel schedule and record keeping
The Vietnam U22 team will resume training on the afternoon of December 6th, then focus entirely on the match against Malaysia U22 on December 11th. According to a related article cited in the source, Xuan Bac's injury is not too serious, giving coach Kim Sang Sik more personnel options for the crucial match.
Key highlights of the holiday
- Recovery priorities: table tennis, light gym workouts, and entertainment with video games.
- Maintain discipline: report to the coaching staff before each activity.
- Observing the opponents: Representatives from the coaching staff attended the U22 Malaysia vs. U22 Laos match at Rajamangala Stadium.
- Training schedule: return on the afternoon of December 6th; aiming for the match against U22 Malaysia on December 11th.
