U22 Vietnam - U22 Timor Leste: Overcoming the first hurdle

(Baonghean.vn) – Although rated higher than U22 Timor Leste, coach Nguyen Huu Thang and his team cannot be subjective in the opening match at SEA Games 29.

Previously, U22 Vietnam and U22 Timor Leste met each other in the 2018 U23 Asian qualifiers. That was the match where coach Huu Thang's team defeated U22 Timor Leste with a score of 4-0 on a flooded field. Tomorrow (August 15), the two teams will meet again in the SEA Games arena and this time, the opponent will certainly not be as easy to defeat as last time.

Not considered a team capable of going deep into the next round, however, it can be said that the gap between Timor Leste and the teams in the region has been narrowed. U22 Timor Leste has shown clear progress, especially the impressive performance in the U23 Asian qualifiers.

Coach Kim Shin Hwan and his team won a resounding 7-1 victory over U22 Macau, excellently holding a very strong opponent like U22 Korea to a draw. In addition, with a squad of naturalized players with good physique and physical strength, U22 Timor Leste is expected to cause many difficulties for Coach Nguyen Huu Thang's team if the opponent applies the "Pressing" style of play all over the field.

U22 Vietnam can be confident against U22 Timor Leste in the opening match at SEA Games 29 - Photo: Duc Dong

Meanwhile, the U22 Vietnam team has a well-balanced squad and has been thoroughly prepared. Midfielder Luong Xuan Truong and striker Nguyen Cong Phuong have high expectations for the attack. This is also the match where the main frame of the U22 Vietnam team will be revealed.

Over the past time, Coach Huu Thang has tried many players to pair with Captain Tien Dung but has not yet found the most satisfactory choice. On the other hand, this match is also an opportunity for goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung to show his progress and the trust that Coach Nguyen Huu Thang has in him.

Football expert Vu Manh Hai said: “The first match is very important, we have won against U22 Timor Leste but we cannot be subjective, in the following matches they played very well. They know us, we know them. I hope the players will not be stressed in this match. Maybe the first match will make them a bit nervous, but stress is very dangerous. In the first match, we should definitely have the best and strongest squad that the coaching board has seen through a training process. I send my best wishes for victory to coach Nguyen Huu Thang and his team.”

With the nature of an opening match, fans are expecting U22 Vietnam to have a resounding victory over Timor Leste to gain an advantage. However, in this group, Vietnam will have to play 5 matches. Coach Nguyen Huu Thang must have reasonable calculations to get 3 points, while ensuring no loss of players and avoiding unnecessary injuries.

Expected lineup of U22 Vietnam: Tien Dung, Van Hau, Tien Dung, Van Khanh, Van Thanh, Duy Manh, Van Toan, Tuan Anh, Xuan Truong, Quang Hai, Duc Chinh.

Trung Kien