Thanh Nhàn names two major rivals of the Vietnam U22 team at the SEA Games 33.
Thanh Nhàn views Indonesia and Thailand as major rivals, but emphasizes that the Vietnam U22 team must surpass itself; the team has 25 players, awaiting 3 more to join the training camp on November 28th.
Amidst the final sprint towards the SEA Games 33, Nguyen Thanh Nhan pointed out that Indonesia and Thailand are the two biggest rivals of the Vietnam U22 team, and affirmed that the greater challenge lies in the entire team having to "surpass themselves" to conquer the goal of winning the gold medal.
Preparation pace: high intensity, fierce competition to secure 23 spots.
On the afternoon of November 26th, the Vietnam U22 team held an important training session at the Ba Ria Stadium (Ho Chi Minh City) under the guidance of coach Kim Sang-sik. A rigorous training program was implemented to refine technical and tactical skills and establish the optimal lineup for the upcoming campaign.
Currently, the training camp roster includes 25 players. Three players from Hanoi Police FC, namely Ly Duc, Minh Phuc, and Dinh Bac, are expected to join the team on November 28th after completing their duties in the AFC Champions League Two. From there, the competition for positions will become fierce as the coaching staff will narrow it down to 23 players to travel to Thailand.
Thanh Nhàn's perspective: identifying challenges, maintaining focus.
Speaking on the sidelines of training, Thanh Nhàn assessed: “In my opinion, Indonesia and Thailand are the two biggest rivals of the Vietnam U22 team in this tournament.” However, the striker emphasized that the key lies within the team: “We must overcome ourselves, improve every day to aim for the gold medal.”
Despite the possibility of changing the match venue in Songkhla due to flooding, the Vietnam U22 team maintained their focus. Thanh Nhàn said that the whole team was not distracted, closely followed the training schedule, and adjusted according to the coaching staff's plan.
Competitive significance: standardizing the framework, raising the bar in practice.
Maintaining a squad of 25 players during the final stages of training allows coach Kim Sang-sik sufficient data to assess their adaptation to the high-intensity training regimen. From physical fitness to positional discipline, each training session is a test of personnel options and cohesion between the different lines.
With Indonesia and Thailand considered by Thanh Nhan as major rivals, "surpassing oneself" is understood as raising the bar for speed, intensity of competition, and effectiveness at both ends of the field. Aiming to change the color of their medal after the bronze in the previous Games, the Vietnam U22 team needs to maintain stability while optimizing small details in organization and transitions.
Group B fixtures: a test of pace right from the opening match.
| Match | Competitor | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Deployment | Laos U22 | 6:30 PM on December 4th |
| Match 2 | U22 Malaysia | A week later |
The opening match at 6:30 PM on December 4th against U22 Laos will be a test of their pace and readiness. The second match against U22 Malaysia, taking place a week later, will require maintaining form and managing physical condition.
Key highlights
- Thanh Nhàn identified Indonesia and Thailand as the two biggest rivals, but the priority for the Vietnam U22 team is to raise the internal standards.
- The team currently has 25 players; Ly Duc, Minh Phuc, and Dinh Bac are expected to join the team on November 28th; the list will be narrowed down to 23 before traveling to Thailand.
- The possibility of changing the match venue in Songkhla due to flooding did not affect the team's focus.
- Objective: To change the color of the medal compared to the bronze one from the previous Games.
The 33rd SEA Games are fast approaching. Within the short timeframe for preparation, Thanh Nhàn's message of "surpassing oneself" encapsulates strategic priorities: strengthening the foundation, persistently pursuing operational standards, and being ready for crucial tests right from the group stage.
