U21 HAGL - U21 Thailand: Cong Phuong, Xuan Truong return in old colors

Today's match with U21 Thailand is the first time Cong Phuong and Xuan Truong wear the HAGL shirt again after a year playing abroad.

* The match U21 HAGL - U21 Thailand takes place at 6:00 p.m. on December 20.

HAGL is the current champion of the U21 International Championship. They have gathered the strongest force and set the goal of defending the title, thereby making a hat-trick of championships in this tournament. National players such as Van Toan, Van Thanh or U22, U19 players such as Dong Trieu, Hong Duy, Van Son, Thanh Tung, Van Truong, Thanh Hau are all participating in the tournament. In addition, two stars Luong Xuan Truong and Nguyen Cong Phuong also returned from abroad to fight alongside their teammates.

Four national players Van Thanh, Van Toan, Xuan Truong, Cong Phuong are the hope for U21 HAGL to defend the championship title of the 2016 International U21 tournament. Photo: Duc Dong.

Coach Guillaume Graechen, after a period of training at the HAGL Arsenal JMG academy, also returned with the group of players he was with when they first joined the academy about 10 years ago. "We are very confident in this year's tournament. Because through the two previous championships, the players have a lot of experience. We only have a little difference when the team has some young players. But that does not have much impact on our force," t"Joom" said before the match.

The French coach also admitted that it will not be easy for HAGL to realize the goal of defending the championship, because the opponents attending the U21 International Tournament this year all have strong teams. "But no matter what, we will try our best to meet the expectations of the fans," Mr. Graechen emphasized.

The 2016 U21 International Tournament is also the last year for the generation of Cong Phuong, Xuan Truong, Dong Trieu, Van Truong to compete before they are too old. Therefore, these players are determined to win another title. Xuan Truong even seemed nervous when returning to wear the U21 HAGL shirt after a year away from the team to go to Korea to play for Incheon United Club.

On the other side of the front line, U21 Thailand also brought a strong force to the tournament. They gathered 20, 21-year-old players to prepare for the 29th SEA Games next year. "We came to the tournament with a strong force and are confident of winning with these players," said head coach Ithsara Sritharo. "If we want to win the next SEA Games, we need to win this tournament. Because the forces of Vietnam and Myanmar are all players who will play in the SEA Games next year."

U21 Thailand (in blue) demonstrated their strength when they defeated U21 Gangwon 6-2 in their opening match. Photo: Duc Dong.

In the opening match on December 18, U21 Thailand showed off their strength with a 6-2 victory over U21 Gangwon (South Korea). The play of U21 Thailand was shown through skillfulness, cohesion and very effective attack.

“We won big in the opening match, but the players only reached 70% of their form. However, meeting U21 HAGL will be an extremely difficult match, because they are a strong opponent and have many good players. Personally, I think U21 HAGL is the number one candidate for the championship,” said coach Ithsara.

Thanks to the victory in the first round, U21 Thailand only needs a draw today to enter the semi-finals. U21 HAGL needs a victory to decide their fate. Even if they overcome U21 Thailand, coach Guillaume Graechen and his team are likely to win the top spot in Group B.

According to VNE