U23 Vietnam lost heavily at Doha Cup 2023, why?

Those were two matches with opposite results: the first half was acceptable, but the second half revealed many flaws and weaknesses, causing the team to fail as an inevitable outcome.

Not having the strongest lineup due to penalty cards and the experimental nature, U23 Vietnam entered the match without goalkeeper Van Chuan (replaced by Huy Hoang), without central defender Vu Tien Long (replaced by Quang Thinh), without Duc Viet and Van Khang in midfield. Although the first-time players such as Nhat Nam and Van Thang... could not avoid being confused in a continental tournament, overall they contributed to a fairly good match when they did not concede any goals and also launched a few quality attacks.

U23 Vietnam disappointed in the first tournament under coach Troussier. Photo: VFF

In the first half of the match against U23 UAE, in fact, Mr. Troussier let his students play with a 5-defender formation when defending, including: Tuan Tai, Duy Cuong, Quang Thinh combined with 2 wings Minh Trong and Nhat Nam. This formation was forced to form when playing low, the distance with the front line was guaranteed but not strong enough to accelerate, counterattack from 2 wings as the usual way of operating of teams that tend to defend-counterattack. The main reason was that the opponent played fast, pressed, "pressed" 2 wings, so the opportunity forU23 Vietnamusually very few. The most notable counter-attack in the first half came from midfielder Van Do and his good coordination with Van Truong, unfortunately this rare opportunity was not materialized into a goal.

Keeping the net intact in the first half was thanks to Huy Hoang playing quite well, thanks to the resilience, alertness of the defense and the defensive support of the front line. Although not proactive in the game, a half with few mistakes, with some brilliant attacks showed that the failures in the opening match were quickly learned and overcome by Mr. Troussier and his team. At this point, it can be said that what Mr. Troussier wanted about ball control, about playing short, fast balls... were just wishes, theoretical lessons. But when entering reality with high-class opponents, flexibility and adaptation are the most important things. When the team lost a player, conceded a goal, the team continuously changed the diagram, the way of operating. And the vivid reality, the requirements of each match, each specific situation is the most necessary "diagram" later.

Doha Cup 2023 rankings. Photo: VFF

The problem of any team, like U23 Vietnam, is physical endurance, overcoming physical disadvantages, and experience in high-level combat. Against U23 UAE or U23 Iraq before, U23 Vietnam did not have any advantage, if not completely disadvantageous when the match entered the second half. When U23 Vietnam overcame individual mistakes such as Tuan Tai's bad pass, dangerous and harmful fouls like Duy Cuong, Tien Long or Minh Khoa... then collective and systemic errors were revealed when they played more and more exhausted, exposing weaknesses for opponents to exploit. The fact that the players were not allowed to play in the V-League or the First Division, and were selected to "skip levels" from U17 or U20 to U23 clearly left a sad and worrying mark when they fought at the continental level.

The use of "over-level" U20 players in the attack is a bold move, but the results are only a few missed opportunities for Van Truong. Someone said that the current U23 Vietnam team operates with a U23 defense and a U20 attack, which sounds quite interesting about the combination of two generations. But the effectiveness is very difficult to say, if not disappointing, failing because of this "burning of stages". Of course, no one objects to bringing a group of excellent U20 players to U23, but calling up 5 players and then letting them practice massively like that has not brought about the desired results. Perhaps Mr. Troussier needs to review this, among the many things that U23 Vietnam has been and is making mistakes in the last 2 matches.

Coach Troussier will have a lot of work to do with U23 Vietnam if they want to achieve the goal of reaching the final of SEA Games 32. Photo: VFF

Of the 7 goals conceded by U23 Vietnam recently, except for the penalty kick and the shot outside the penalty area, the rest came from failures in aerial combat. The modest height of the defense is a reason, but endurance, bounce, alertness in disputes, blocking opponents at close and long range... are the things that need attention. There is no shortage of central defenders who do not have good physique but they still overcome this crucial factor in preventing high balls. Central defender Bui Tien Dung of Viettel, Huy Hoang of Song Lam Nghe An in the past, or Martinez from Argentina playing at Manchester United now... are specific and vivid examples.

That said, in the current U23 Vietnam, Mr. Troussier has not yet found a true leader in defense, has not yet found a leader of the team. Their physical strength gradually weakened towards the end of the match, and they lacked the will and courage despite their great efforts or their hopeless efforts, which allowed them to temporarily stand firm in the first half. But after the opponent had probed them specifically and seen their weaknesses, they were free to exploit them and dominate the match easily.

Losing matches is necessary to know where you are, but losing consecutively, losing without being able to raise your head is extremely harmful because it can make this team completely lose motivation to compete, lose confidence in winning. Therefore, in addition to drawing crucial lessons, flexibility in tactics, in handling situations, U23 Vietnam now needs to quickly find its strengths and weaknesses to continue. Is it true that the U23 force needs to continue to be screened and supplemented continuously, especially the factors that are being retained to compete in the V-League and the First Division? U23 Thailand is playing very well at the 2023 Doha Cup, which is a close wake-up call for Mr. Troussier and his team. Slow to change, slow to respond at this time means a predicted failure at the upcoming SEA Games. Not to mention the task ahead for Mr. Troussier is much heavier and more difficult than in the continental arena, where he himself has suffered two disastrous defeats as mentioned above./.