What will U22 Vietnam do to enter the 'big battle'?

But it seems that this time, U22 Vietnam is bringing more worries than confidence, something that we have done and done very well in the previous 2 consecutive SEA Games?

First of all, experts as well as many experienced fans have realized that the current U22 team is not as good at fighting as the previous seniors such as Van Hau, Hoang Duc, Viet Anh, Manh Dung..., not to mention they are always led by seniors with high performance such as Hung Dung, Trong Hoang or Tien Linh. Especially, under the direction of coach Park Hang-seo with his forte of defensive - counter-attacking style, the collective strength of U23 Vietnam is highly promoted, resonated and multiplied in fighting power and victory.

Coach Philippe Troussier and his team just had their second training session in Phnom Penh to prepare for the opening match of SEA Games 32 against U22 Laos on April 30. Photo: Hai Hoang

With this SEA Games, not adding players over 22 years old is a common difficulty for all teams, includingU22 Vietnam. Moreover, U22 Vietnam has begun to transition to a new coach and a new football philosophy, making things even more difficult. The process of concentration, training, international and internal friendly matches is actually revealing many instabilities of the team.

Some say the experienced coach is sticking to his long-term and progressive strategy, doing everything he can to find the peak of his players' form right when the tournament takes place. The fact that U22 Vietnam "lost completely" in the Doha Cup, in the last 2 domestic friendly matches, at first glance, is a concern, especially the ability of the strikers to score, but is still considered Mr. Troussier's "secret card", surprising opponents when entering the match...

Of course, we can trust the calculations of Mr. Troussier and their coaching team with extensive international experience as well as the determination of the young, well-trained and ambitious team. Difficult for us is also difficult for others, so whoever overcomes difficulties better will be the one to reach the finish line first. The competition schedule from low to high is an advantage for the competition process of U22 Vietnam, especially with the new style of competition, better but more difficult than before.

Going into the match, no matter how strong or weak, everyone "wound up" with high spirits like the way U22 Cambodia was determined to play in the final match, like the way U22 Laos was "not afraid" of U22 Thailand or U22 Vietnam? Meanwhile, U22 Vietnam has "received instructions" to defend the Gold Medal, which means they must win all, including U22 Thailand, who is considered "unrivaled" in the region? The warm-up with loud declarations before the tournament is greatly encouraging the spirit of each team. The decisive issue is that under the hot weather, under heavy pressure, which teacher and student will be calm and strong enough to overcome the upcoming matches, we still have to wait for vivid reality to answer?

The U22 Vietnam players were full of excitement during the warm-up. Photo: Hai Hoang

So far, speculations about the final 20-man roster have yet to come to a conclusion. However, since only 3 players have been eliminated, the main squad is still emerging day by day. The starting goalkeeper will be Van Chuan because no one is better than him at the moment. The central defender trio could be Duy Cuong - Tuan Tai - Tien Long and the reserve Quang Thinh? The midfield with Cong Den - Van Khang - Van Truong, the wingback pair Van Cuong - Van Do, and Thanh Nhan - Quoc Viet playing the highest? Of course, Xuan Tien, Nhat Nam, Thai Son or Van Tung, Vi Hao can all play depending on the specific situation on the field.

The player who is currently hoping to bring many breakthroughs in the playing style for U22 Vietnam is Tuan Tai. It is unclear whether he will be positioned as a left-sided center-back or a wingback to exploit the crosses that fall very well from this player. Similarly, whether Van Do will play highest as a winger or just a wingback is also being awaited, because the recent form of this player can help U22 Vietnam solve the long-standing goal drought? There are also people waiting for striker Van Tung to shine after returning to U22 Vietnam, thanks to the qualities he has shown before, especially against U23 Thailand in the continental tournament in 2022?

In short, we still have to wait and see how U22 Vietnam will perform in the upcoming tournament? After the success of "wizard" Park Hang-seo, people are waiting for "white wizard" Trousser to bring victory to Vietnamese youth football with new, more unpredictable, surprising and interesting strategies? A new lineup, new operation, new efficiency? But we should not be too disappointed if U22 Vietnam becomes unsteady when facing the upcoming big opponents, because coach Philippe Troussier's process has just begun, cannot "reap the fruit" immediately but must be patient, accept taking a step back to move forward later?