Quoc Viet is confident; U22 Vietnam is determined to win against U22 Malaysia.

Nguyen Quoc Viet sent a clear message ahead of the U22 Malaysia match: U22 Vietnam aims to win all 3 points in Group B of the men's football tournament at the 33rd SEA Games. The team's morale is high after the 2-1 victory against U22 Laos, but the key message from the striker is to capitalize on opportunities better in the next match.

From an opening victory to the need to raise the bar for better finishing.

“After yesterday’s match, the team’s morale is very good… getting 3 points is good,” Quoc Viet said after the training session on the afternoon of December 4th, but also admitted his regret at not being able to score more goals. This statement accurately reflects the professional picture: U22 Vietnam created many opportunities against U22 Laos, but the finishing still lacked sharpness. At the level of a short-term tournament like the SEA Games 33, the efficiency of converting opportunities is often the dividing line between a smooth campaign and a bumpy journey.

The problem for the attack and the message from the technical area.

Quoc Viet emphasized the requirement from coach Kim Sang Sik: "As a striker, you must score goals." That spirit was immediately put into practice on the training ground on the afternoon of December 4th: the group that started against U22 Laos mainly focused on recovery, while the remaining players practiced attacking combinations and finishing. When the coaching staff focused on decisive situations, the tactical message was clear: improving the quality of the final touch would be the key adjustment against U22 Malaysia.

Confidence gained from the experience of facing Malaysia.

"I've played against Malaysia many times, so I'm very confident," Quoc Viet affirmed. This confidence stems not only from his feel for the ball after the opening match but also from his personal experience against the opponent. For a striker, spatial awareness and timing when facing a familiar opponent often provide an advantage, especially in one-touch passes or situations where they cut across the penalty area.

7 days of preparation for the match on December 11th.

Following their 2-1 victory, the Vietnam U22 team has seven days to refine key aspects before facing Malaysia U22 on December 11th. This timeframe is sufficient to adjust pressing rhythm, tempo of play, and especially the accuracy of final touches. According to the coaching staff, "perfecting the playing style, particularly the ability to handle decisive situations" is the central objective of this week's preparation.

Tactical perspective: Plenty of opportunities, must convert them into goals.

Information from within the team indicates that the Vietnam U22 team "created many opportunities but failed to capitalize on them" in their first match. In this context, tactical emphasis is placed on three key aspects: the quality of final passes, positioning in the penalty area, and decisiveness in finishing. With increased practice in passing and finishing, the expectation is that these clear-cut chances will translate into a positive scoreline.

Voices from the dressing room

Quoc Viet clearly stated the overall goal: "The goal of the Vietnam U22 team is definitely to win 3 points." He also shared his feelings about the opening match: "I'm a little disappointed that I didn't score in the first match, but I will try harder in the next one." From a psychological perspective, this straightforwardness often helps strikers relieve pressure, thereby maintaining optimal decision-making in crucial moments.

The significance of the match against U22 Malaysia

According to the professional plan, a victory would "bring us closer to a ticket to the semi-finals of the SEA Games 33". Within Group B, where every group stage match is crucial, the goal of securing three points is not only a message of confidence but also a practical requirement for the race to advance.

Notable facts

• Opening match: Vietnam U22 defeated Laos U22 2-1.
• Statement on December 4th: Quoc Viet confident ahead of U22 Malaysia match, aiming for 3 points.
• Training session 4/12: The starting lineup focuses on recovery; the remaining players practice attacking coordination and finishing.
• Preparation time: 7 days before the match on December 11th.

With solid confidence, a clear tactical message, and a week to fine-tune, the Vietnam U22 team approaches the match against Malaysia U22 with a specific goal: to convert opportunities into goals and secure three points to consolidate their progress towards the next round.