'Duet' Tien Linh, Duc Chinh shine, U22 Vietnam enters the final to meet Indonesia

After positive tests, coach Park Hang-seo for the first time arranged Ha Duc Chinh and Nguyen Tien Linh to play as a striker pair from the start. U22 Vietnam took the field with a 3-5-2 formation in the semi-final match of men's football at the 30th SEA Games against U22 Cambodia.

U22 Vietnam starting lineup for the match against Cambodia. Photo: Hai Hoang

Accordingly, Trong Hoang was returned to his familiar right-back position, Ho Tan Tai sat on the bench. Meanwhile, on the left wing, Do Thanh Thinh played full-back and Doan Van Hau played left-sided center-back.

This is a very strong starting lineup deployed by U22 Vietnam for the first time at SEA Games 30. After about 15 minutes of deadlock in attack, U22 Vietnam continued to tirelessly attack and forced U22 Cambodia to continuously commit fouls.

Tien Linh jumped high to head the ball. Photo: Hai Hoang

And in the situation of being continuously pressured by the U22 Vietnam strikers, the U22 Cambodia defenders were penetrated in the 19th minute. In a counter-attack, Duc Chinh had enough time to cross the ball from the right wing, Tien Linh jumped high to head the ball, giving goalkeeper Soksela no chance to block.

In the 21st minute, the Cambodian defense was once again threatened. Tien Linh broke through and shot but could not cause any trouble for the U22 Cambodia goalkeeper.

The attack was ineffective, they had to retreat to defend and the second goal came to Cambodia as an inevitable result. In the 26th minute, from a pass from central defender Thanh Chung, Duc Chinh escaped at full speed, overcame the pursuit of defender number 15 and then coolly shot into the near corner to increase the score to 2-0.

Tien Linh celebrates his goal. Photo: Hai Hoang

In the remaining minutes, the game was completely under the control of U22 Vietnam. Coach Park Hang-seo's players were constantly on the field due to the fierce play and unafraid of fouls from their opponents.

At the end of the first half, Coach Park Hang-seo was forced to take Tien Linh off due to injury and replace him with Truong Van Thai Quy – a central midfielder. This was also a way for U22 Vietnam to strengthen the midfield.

However, when Tien Linh left the field, Duc Chinh managed to score a double in the 45+2 minute. From Thai Quy's cross, Duc Chinh rushed in and headed the ball from close range, defeating the entire Cambodian defense. This was the striker's 7th goal at this year's SEA Games.

Ha Duc Chinh celebrates his goal. Photo: Hai Hoang

In the second half, Coach Park Hang-seo continued to change personnel. Trieu Viet Hung was sent onto the field to replace Hoang Duc. A decision to "put" Hoang Duc to rest for the final match against Indonesia.

The Cambodian players' helplessness was clearly shown when their player blatantly hit Thanh Chung right in front of the referee. However, the referee only gave yellow cards to both Thanh Chung and striker number 14 of U22 Cambodia. Otherwise, U22 Cambodia would have lost the match because of a direct red card.

Ha Duc Chinh celebrates his second goal in the match. Photo: Hai Hoang

With a 3-goal difference, coach Park Hang-seo continued to take Hung Dung off to rest and put Bui Tien Dung on the field, also a reinforcement of a more solid defense.

In the 68th minute, Thai Quy's corner kick hit the white-shirted defender before landing in the net of goalkeeper Keo Soksela. However, this goal was counted for Ha Duc Chinh in the rush.

The gap was so large that U22 Cambodia fell into a deadlock and resisted weakly. The opponent had almost no chance to approach the 16m50 area in front of goalkeeper Van Toan's goal. For example, in the 73rd minute, Yeu Muslim shot from outside the penalty area but the ball went lightly and could not trouble goalkeeper Van Toan and the referee also raised the flag for offside.

Teammates celebrate the 4th goal with Thai Quy and Duc Chinh. Photo: Hai Hoang

If he had been luckier in the finishing situation afterwards, the 5th goal would have come to U22 Vietnam. In the 83rd minute, during a counter-attack, Duc Chinh broke free, received a pass from his teammate, then decisively kicked the ball with his left foot, sending it over the bar.

Trong Hoang still shows great fitness. Photo: Hai Hoang

In the rest of the match, U22 Vietnam did not have much difficulty in maintaining the score, Coach Park Hang-seo's students calmly neutralized the opponent's attacks. However, in the last minute of extra time, Cambodia was awarded a penalty after the ball touched the hand of a U22 Vietnam player.

However, goalkeeper Van Toan made an excellent save on this penalty. In the end, U22 Vietnam defeated Cambodia 4-0 quickly in the semi-finals, advancing to the final to face Indonesia again.

This was the first match in which Cambodia failed to score a single goal, but for U22 Vietnam, this victory was of great significance before heading towards the final match. The historic SEA Games 30 gold medal was only one match away from Coach Park Hang-seo and his team. And once again, Coach Park Hang-seo showed his acumen in the way he deployed his troops.

STARTING LINEUP

U22 Vietnam:TM Nguyen Van Toan, Nguyen Thanh Chung, Doan Van Hau, Huynh Tan Sinh, Do Thanh Thinh, Nguyen Trong Hoang, Nguyen Duc Chien, Do Hung Dung, Nguyen Hoang Duc, Ha Duc Chinh, Nguyen Tien Linh

U22 Cambodia:TM Keo Soksela, Chheng Meng, Ouk Sovann, Yue Safy, Mao Piseth, Orn Chanpolin, Yeu Muslim, Ken Chansopheak, Reung Bunhieng, Sin Kakada, Keo Sokpheng.

Former player Le Quoc Vuong talks about the pressure of U22 Vietnam at SEA Games 30

(Baonghean.vn) - Witnessing U22 Vietnam facing many difficulties to reach the semi-finals of SEA Games 30, former midfielder Le Quoc Vuong said that Coach Park Hang-seo's students are playing well but are having difficulties because of the pressure to win the championship.