U22 Vietnam - U22 Korea: Coach Huu Thang uses 'the right to take risks'

(Baonghean.vn) - In the final match against Korea, we only needed a draw to secure the top spot in the group, but Coach Huu Thang decided to take the "risk" and play an open game against the players from Kim Chi. A decision aimed at the goal of the 29th SEA Games when we almost had a ticket to the 2018 AFC U23 Championship, is considered to be a true reflection of the character of the coach from Nghe An.

First of all, we agree with Huu Thang's sharing, "it is not because we saw that U22 East Timor lost to us 0-4 that we focused on defending to get 1 point when meeting U22 Korea". Meanwhile, if we lose by a small amount, we still have a "survival ticket" to China, but Coach Huu Thang decided to use the "right to risk" to organize a decisive match to get 3 points with a stronger opponent. This is the situation in preparation for the 29th SEA Games, in Malaysia, in the unfortunate context that we lost.

The plan needs a goal

In the match against U22 Korea, U22 Vietnam played a 4-4-1-1 formation that was completely offensive. Photo: Internet.

Many viewers found it strange when Coach Huu Thang used Xuan Truong and Tuan Anh as central midfielders, with Van Toan (left) and Quang Hai (right) on both wings. U22 Vietnam played a 4-4-1-1 formation that was completely offensive to face U22 Korea. Obviously, Huu Thang tried to play “all-in” when he unfortunately conceded the first goal at the 29th SEA Games. Some readers asked: Why, with the trio of Duy Manh, Xuan Truong, and Tuan Anh, did Coach Huu Thang not use his favorite 4-1-4-1 formation?

A football expert has deciphered, it was raining, the field was slippery, the ball was wet, facing a tall Korean defender line with better physical strength, if playing in a 4-1-4-1 formation, the striker would be easily isolated. Letting Cong Phuong play close to Ha Duc Chinh helped the attackers approach the Korean goal more easily, Cong Phuong's equalizer 1-1 is the most accurate answer.

Coach Huu Thang's intention is to train his players to have the right mentality for a match that requires goals, the whole team must always rush forward. A loss, for the coaching board to realize that Xuan Truong and Tuan Anh both tend to control the rhythm, organize the play but almost do not participate in the task of supporting defense. The ability to compete for the ball is not the strong point of this duo, so if they are to be used, they should only be used at certain times, still needing defensive expert Duy Manh. And when Duy Manh was returned to the midfield position in the second half, the midfield of the U22 team became tight again. When U22 Vietnam needs to keep the loss score low (1-2) to continue, Dong Trieu is an optimal solution because this player's ability to hold the ball is quite good.

Strengthening the defense

U22 Vietnam met U22 Korea in the final match of Group I of the U23 Asian qualifiers, leaving many regrets for the audience. Photo: Internet.

If the two wingers, Van Hau and Van Thanh, have left a certain peace of mind for the coaching staff, the goalkeeper and central defender positions need to be reinforced urgently. The only goal conceded in the match against U22 Macau was due to Van Khanh receiving the wrong drop point in a 1-on-1 situation with the opposing striker.

The two goals conceded against Korea both came from individual mistakes by the U22 Vietnam defense, in which goalkeeper Tien Dung instead of punching the ball rushed out to catch it but failed. The goal of U22 Korea raised the score to 2-1 after a tricky shot by In Beom in the 41st minute when captain Tien Dung was outside the field.

Our coaching staff and players are still too inexperienced. Coming on as a substitute, center back Van Khanh had a few moments where he showed that he was nervous before the attack of the Korean players. Center back Dinh Trong also did not create absolute trust in his blocking moves.

Coach Huu Thang and the U22 Vietnam coaching staff have 1 month left to correct mistakes and prepare for the 29th SEA Games. Only by using the “right to take risks” can Huu Thang realize the strengths and weaknesses of his players. Despite a defeat against U22 Korea, we have gained a lot of useful information. In other words, we know how to retreat to advance!

AT