Vietnam U23 team thrashes Myanmar 5-0
Vietnam U23's opening goal. Photo: Hoang Ha
There were some surprises in the starting lineup of the Vietnam U23 team, as Goetz used the reserve goalkeeper from Dong Thap, Buu Ngoc, and promoted the diminutive midfielder Hoang Thien to partner Van Thang in attack. In defense, Long Giang, not fully recovered from injury, had to give way to Anh Quang. The remaining positions included Huynh Phu, Quoc Long, and Ngoc Anh in defense, and Van Binh, Hoang Thinh, Thanh Luong, and Van Quyet in midfield.
The Myanmar U23 team had only been training together for just over a week. Swedish coach Setafan Hansson hadn't had enough time to make his mark. But with their pressing style of play, Myanmar U23 caused Goetz's team many difficulties. Although the opposing goalkeeper made a mistake, creating an opportunity for Vietnam U23 with Thanh Luong's long-range shot in the fourth minute, the team's performance afterwards lacked cohesion. Confused in their handling of the ball and lacking rhythm in their coordination, Vietnam U23 barely had any cohesive plays in the first 30 minutes.
It wasn't until the 34th minute that Van Quyet, with a dribble through the midfield, made a beautiful pass to Hoang Thien, who raced down to face the U23 Myanmar goalkeeper. The Hoang Anh Gia Lai player's gentle chip shot then opened the scoring for U23 Vietnam. With the goal, Goetz's players seemed to shed their psychological pressure and played better.
Just four minutes after opening the scoring, Hoang Thien scored the second goal for Vietnam U23 with a close-range rebound after Van Thang's unsuccessful attempt. At the end of the first 45 minutes, the score was 3-0 for Vietnam U23 after defender Ngoc Anh successfully converted a penalty kick earned by Thanh Luong in injury time. Myanmar U23 – Goetz's team's upcoming opponent in Group B of the SEA Games 26 – had only one chance in the middle of the first half, but their striker shot over the crossbar.
Leading 3-0, and with the aim of experimenting, Goetz made two substitutions at the start of the second half. Striker Van Thang was replaced by Dinh Tung, while Trong Hoang replaced Van Binh in midfield.
The U23 Myanmar team, just like in the first 45 minutes, appeared disjointed and somewhat despondent with the score at 0-3, and no longer played aggressively. Goetz's players were able to attack more easily as a result. In the 48th minute, after a combination with Dinh Tung, Trong Hoang made a beautiful pass to Thanh Luong, who penetrated the penalty area and scored to make it 4-0.
Satisfied with the score, Goetz used his remaining three substitutions to test his players' abilities. Thanh Trung, Tuan Anh, and Long Giang were brought on to replace Van Quyet, Hoang Thien, and Huynh Phu, respectively. With these changes, the Vietnam U23 team slowed down their pace of play. This allowed the Myanmar U23 team to dominate possession in the final 20 minutes. Vietnam U23 left many gaps in their defense, but the Myanmar forwards failed to capitalize on any opportunities.
Playing cautiously to conserve energy, U23 Vietnam nevertheless scored again in the final minutes. Midfielder Thanh Trung delivered a cross from the left wing, bypassing the entire Myanmar defense, allowing Thanh Luong to seal the 5-0 victory for U23 Vietnam with a skillful chip into the far corner.
In their previous match, the Uzbekistan U23 team defeated their Malaysian counterparts with a score of 3-1.
Vietnam U23 starting lineup
Goalkeeper: Buu Ngoc
Defenders: Quoc Long, Anh Quang, Huynh Phu (Long Giang), Ngoc Anh
Midfielders: Thanh Luong, Van Quyet (Thanh Trung), Hoang Thinh, Van Binh (Trong Hoang)
Forwards: Van Thang (Dinh Tung), Hoang Thien (Tuan Anh)
(According to VnExpress)
