SEA Games 29: The 'Gamble' of the Vietnam U22 team Selayang

(Baonghean.vn) - Coach Huu Thang and his team will play the "Selayang gamble" with U22 Thailand. If we win or draw, not only will we have the opportunity to continue but we will also eliminate our biggest opponent on the journey to conquer the SEA Games gold medal. If we fail, Huu Thang may have to pay the price with his head coach position..

It is not without reason that the media and fans are worried about Huu Thang, because Thailand has long been Vietnam's biggest nemesis. Facing Thailand, at all levels of the national team, including futsal, women's football, and youth football, we lose more than we win.

Cong Phuong will score again! Photo: Internet

Nemesis

In 1995, when coach Nguyen Huu Thang was still a player, Vietnam suffered a 0-4 defeat to Thailand after beating Myanmar in the semi-finals. Four years later, at the 1999 SEA Games, the Vietnam team drew 0-0 in the group stage but lost 0-2 in the final.

At the 2003 SEA Games, the scenario happened again when the U23 Vietnam players tied Thailand 1-1 in the group stage, but Van Quyen and the team had to accept the runner-up position after losing to the Thais with a score of 1-2.

In 2009, in Laos, Thanh Luong and his teammates continued to hold Thailand to a 1-1 draw. Most recently, at the 28th SEA Games, under the guidance of coach Toshiya Miura, Cong Phuong and his teammates only won a bronze medal in the third-place match against Indonesia after losing 1-3 to Thailand in the group stage and losing to Myanmar in the semi-finals.

Obviously, Thailand is always a tough opponent for Vietnam in any tournament because in addition to being superior in strength, they also have a deep understanding of Vietnam's playing style. Not to mention, in the 2-0 victory over U22 Philippines, coach Worrawoot decided to field many reserve players and let a series of key players such as Chenrop, Worachit, Suriya, Chaiyawat, Picha... rest to play against Vietnam.

The Battle of Pride

In terms of strength, in our opinion, the Thai team does not have many quality players like us, the most dangerous is striker Chenrop Samphaodi, who participated in the 2015 SEA Games. If the U22 Thailand team at the 2013 and 2015 SEA Games under coach Kiatisak attacked more, actively fought for the ball, and defended from a distance in the middle of the field, then under coach Worawoot Srimaka, they defended firmly and attacked with long passes.

When Duy Manh was injured, Lam Ti Phong was a name that was given much hope. With a good physical foundation, he will reinforce the steel in the midfield area in duels with Worachit, Suriya, Chaiyawat, Picha.

Hope is placed on Cong Phuong's feet, this is the time for the Nghe An boy to repay his teacher Huu Thang. During the preparation for the SEA Games, when his form was not good, Huu Thang himself tried to find ways to cover for his student. Most likely playing the highest position in the 4-6-0 formation, Cong Phuong will have his own typical solo moves.

Certainly, Coach Huu Thang will not simply use the pair Xuan Truong and Tuan Anh to compete with Thai players who have better physique and physical strength in the midfield area.

Tuan Tai! Stand up and go out to win. Photo: Internet

One thing is for sure, in a must-win situation, the Thai players will play aggressively, close in and fight for the ball right from the Vietnamese field. Coach Worrawoot will torture the physical strength of the Vietnamese players, making us gradually lose strength and reveal mistakes. The last 15 minutes of the match will be a fierce chase between the two teams on the field, and in the end, victory will only be for the brave men.

This is the match where coach Huu Thang will use "softness to overcome hardness", instructing his players to use every way to hold the ball, play slowly, and wait for opportunities.

After a rather exhausting battle with Indonesia, we need to know how to distribute our physical strength and take advantage of opportunities. U22 Vietnam certainly does not intend to play for a draw but must still attack. If we score first, all hopes of the Thais will soon disappear.

This will be the most difficult match for Huu Thang since he took over as head coach of the national team, a match in which if we draw or win against Thailand, we will be at the top of group B, avoiding the host U22 Malaysia - the top team of group A, in the semi-finals and the opportunity for the gold medal will be wide open. On the contrary, if we lose, we will lose a lot!

More than ever, this is the match of pride for Vietnamese football. I believe Huu Thang is a brave man, and our young players should be confident, put on their shoes and enter the field to win!

An Thanh