What framework does Coach Park have in mind for U23 Vietnam?

In preparation for the 2020 AFC U23 Championship, the Vietnam U23 team has 5 test matches. The match with B.Binh Duong is the 3rd practice match of Vietnam U23, aiming for the 2020 AFC U23 Championship in January next year.

Previously, during the 10-day training trip in Korea, Coach Park Hang-seo and his team had a 0-0 draw with Yeongnam University and a 3-2 win against Busan Transportation Club (Korean Third Division).

Question mark Dinh Trong

As we predicted, Mr. Park will continue to stick with the 3-defender formation and the old players who fought with him at the 30th SEA Games. How to use Dinh Trong, who is recovering from injury, is still a matter that Mr. Park must calculate and consider very carefully.

Of the three "wounded soldiers" – defenders Do Thanh Thinh, Huynh Tan Sinh and midfielder Nguyen Huu Thang – only Tan Sinh is ready. Therefore, Ngoc Bao needs to be tested to be ready to enter the match when needed on the left wing.

Mr. Park is very comfortable and confident. Photo: VFF

The practice match showed that goalkeeper Van Toan seemed to be the number 1 choice in goal. In the absence of Dinh Trong, defenders Duc Chien, Tan Sinh, and Thanh Chung were the players who gave Mr. Park peace of mind. Thus, Duc Chien will be a versatile player, and when needed, he will be promoted to play as a central midfielder. With Van Toi and Viet Anh having been tested for quite a while, it means that Mr. Park needs to challenge them to fill the position left by Van Hau.

Mr. Park is quite satisfied with the 5-man midfield including Ngoc Bao, Hoang Duc Quang Hai, Thanh Son, Trong Hung, playing the role of a launching pad for the pair Tien Linh and Duc Chinh. Regarding personnel, Bao Toan and Trong Dai will be the replacement options because Quang Hai and Trong Hung have just returned from injury.

There was some concern when after the match, midfielder Tran Bao Toan had to limp out of Thong Nhat Stadium to get to the bus. It is still unclear how serious the HAGL player's injury is. After the practice match, doctor Choi Ju-young and the medical team will have a lot of work to do.

Quang Hai and Hoang Duc cards

Looking at the way U23 Vietnam plays, Quang Hai and Hoang Duc will be the strategic players to carry out Mr. Park's tactical requirements. Depending on the mobility of the two players who are considered to have good tactical vision of the team, the formation will change from 3-5-2 to 3-4-1-2, 3-3-2-2, or even 3-4-3.

Hoang Duc's progress at the 30th SEA Games has helped Quang Hai relieve himself of some of his duties. Quang Hai's constant appearances in the National Team, U22 Vietnam, and U23 Vietnam have prompted opponents to prepare countermeasures. In fact, the Thais have also successfully neutralized the number 19 of the Capital team in their encounters.

Hoang Duc's progress at SEA Games 30 has helped Quang Hai to be relieved of some of his duties. Photo: VFF

After the practice match with B.Binh Duong, Coach Park Hang-seo and his team will still stay in Ho Chi Minh City to practice in the coming days. Perhaps they will have to practice all morning to get used to the hot climate of Thailand.

On January 1, 2020, the whole team will fly to Thailand. Here, Coach Park Hang-seo and his team will have another practice match with U23 Bahrain on January 3, 2020 before entering the official competition.