U23 Vietnam swapped shirt numbers to fool opponents

Coach Park Hang-seo had his players change shirts and wear different numbers in the match against Ulsan Hyundai to make it difficult for opponents at the AFC U23 Championship to spy on them.

Cong Phuong wears the number 7 shirt for the first time in the Vietnamese national team. Photo: Lam Thoa

In the friendly match with Ulsan Hyundai, U23 Vietnam took to the field wearing jerseys without their names printed on them. The players also surprised everyone by wearing completely different numbers than before. Typically, striker Cong Phuong wore the number 7 shirt, the number 10 that originally belonged to him was given to Hong Duy. Similarly, Van Toan swapped the number 9 shirt for the number 19 with Quang Hai...

“I don’t feel comfortable saying it, but everyone must understand why I did it. This match was broadcast live on South Korea, Vietnam’s opponent in the opening match of the U23 Asian Cup,” coach Park Hang-seo shared after losing 2-3 to Ulsan Hyundai.

At the U23 Asian finals, Vietnam is in Group D. The team will meet Korea (January 11), Australia (January 14) and Syria (January 17).

“The loss in the match against Ulsan Hyundai is that the opponent watched and learned some things about U23 Vietnam. It is also difficult to avoid because before the tournament, of course, the teams take every opportunity to learn about each other. But the gain is that my students faced a team that plays with the typical Korean style, thereby accumulating experience, knowing what to prepare, and how to play in the opening match against U23 Korea,” coach Park Hang-seo added.

Before the match, Ulsan Hyundai coach Kim Do-hoon said that Vietnam had no chance of defeating South Korea in the AFC U23 Championship finals. However, after the match, he has somewhat changed his opinion.

“Vietnam can win. Football is unpredictable. What matters is how the team prepares. In the match against Ulsan Hyundai, U23 Vietnam pressed very well in the second half, causing us many difficulties,” coach Kim Do-hoon shared.

At Hang Day Stadium, U23 Vietnam was completely outclassed in the first half and conceded two goals in the 10th and 13th minutes. But in the second half, the team played on par with Ulsan Hyundai, equalizing thanks to goals from Van Toan (minute 51) and Duc Chinh (minute 88). However, in the extra time, Coach Park Hang-seo's team let Min Soo score to seal the 3-2 victory.

Vietnam U23 team plans to go to China on January 2. The team will have another friendly match with Palestine before competing in the U23 Asian Cup finals.

According to VNE