U23 Vietnam: Should we limit the number of players over 23 years old?

All three players have participated in the 30th SEA Games. Hung Dung is a player over 23 years old along with Trong Hoang, while Hoang Duc and Tien Linh are in the same age group and brought home the medal for the first time.Men's football gold medalvaluable.

Hoang Duc. Photo courtesy

So we can see that these are extremely important factors, thanks to their professional capacity and practical experience in the SEA Games. But the important thing is that these 3 players supplement the shortcomings of the current U23 generation after what they showed in the tournaments before the SEA Games, especially the Dubai international friendly tournament (3 matches, no goals scored, 2 matches conceded).

Hung Dung has good form in the Vietnam national team. Photo: Vietnammet

Hung Dung and Hoang Duc, who are in good form in the Vietnam National Team, will help U23 Vietnam stand firm in the backbone, ensuring the ability to block and defend from a distance, while helping the team change state as quickly as possible to attack when there is an opportunity. And of course, Tien Linh, the best striker in Vietnamese football at the moment, the best scorer in the 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign of the Vietnam National Team with 8 goals, will help U23 Vietnam have the ability to "damage" and finish off opponents, not to mention the explosion of Hoang Duc or Hung Dung in scoring goals alongside other factors.

That is, at the present time, not all 3 factors above are in the best form, especially striker Tien Linh. Photo: Document

However, there is a new story that is being raised and requires an early answer from Mr. Park Hang-seo. That is, at the present time, not all 3 factors above are in the best form, especially striker Tien Linh. The previous persistent injury has not really healed while the task is always calling for the Vietnam National Team, at B. Binh Duong... causing this striker to not have time to recover his physical strength, not have time to regain his inherent "killer" instinct.

Recently, after 4 rounds of V. League 2022, Tien Linh only scored 1 goal in the away win at Dong A Thanh Hoa. In the latest friendly match between U23+3 Vietnam and U20 Korea, the scorer for the home team was young striker Van Tung, not the main senior Tien Linh, although the opportunity came but passed one by one.

After the match, the head coach of the U20 Korea team praised the duo Hung Dung - Hoang Duc when they showed their outstanding ability, creating important highlights, important bridges for the home team, without mentioning Tien Linh? Meanwhile, some domestic experts also expressed concern that Tien Linh is currently not the best, most expected version and suggested replacing him with striker Tuan Hai of Hanoi FC. Because this is a striker with strength, power, and authority in front of the opponent's goal as he has shown in the Vietnam national team, and is also the type of player who actively participates in effective defense, something that Tien Linh, despite his good physique, is not necessarily effective when retreating deep?

Looking at the top regional rivals such as U23 Thailand or U23 Indonesia, their approach is also different from U23 Vietnam, that is, they do not set a default limit of 3 players over 23 years old, but expand it to 5-7 players, in case of unexpected changes. Coach Polking of U23 Thailand chose 7 people for the over 23 list, although currently announced 3 people including veteran goalkeeper Kawin and 2 famous midfielders Worachit and Pomphan.

Meanwhile, coach Shin Tae-yong of U23 Indonesia chose 3 players over 23 years old who are all playing abroad, including Vikri, Sulaman and Asnawi, combined with 3 U23 players who are also playing abroad to form a formidable main frame in this tournament. Opponent Indonesia soon announced 29 names called for the gold-seeking campaign at SEA Games 31, while up to now, U23 Vietnam still does not know anything specific, other than the final number of 20 people according to regulations, of which there are only 3 names over 23 years old and maintaining 5-6 more reserve players?

There is still time from now until the official registration and Mr. Park Hang-seo is waiting to see if there are any changes in the force before announcing specifically. And that is also the time to think more, choose and consider more about the reserve of factors over 23 years old, absolutely should not be framed, closed as it is now because everyone knows this is extremely important and decisive for the upcoming fierce competition?