U23 Vietnam - U23 Japan (1-0): The class of the continental runner-up

In a match of procedural significance with U23 Japan, Coach Park Hang-seo left Cong Phuong and Xuan Truong on the bench. He let Ha Duc Chinh play as a center forward, and Van Toan play as a right midfielder in the U23 Vietnam attack.

Up to now, Coach Park Hang-seo is still a rather secretive coach. Not many people can guess the intention of this coach in arranging and organizing the team at Asiad 18. In the three starting matches with the 3-4-3 tactical formation, Coach Park Hang-seo has put out 3 different lineups. Only 3 central defenders Van Hau, Tien Dung, Dinh Trong and goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung are present in all 3 matches.

Starting lineup of U23 Vietnam. Photo: Internet

The fact that defending champion U23 Korea unexpectedly lost 1-2 to U23 Malaysia prevented the Northeast Asian representative from taking the top spot in Group E. Therefore, in Group D, neither Vietnam nor Japan will face the defending champion in the round of 16, regardless of which team finishes first or second in the group.

However, if they top Group D, they will enter the bracket that will most likely include U23 Korea and U23 Iran. But both coaches Park Hang-seo (U23 Vietnam) and Moriyasu Hajime (U23 Japan) declared that they will win for the sake of their country and are not afraid of Korea.

As the runner-up of the Asian Cup, Coach Park Hang-seo’s decision is completely supported by experts and Vietnamese fans. Mr. Park wants to create an exciting momentum for the players, not to be afraid of any opponent.

Entering the match with such determination, in the 3rd minute, defender Yuta Makiza missed the ball when receiving a pass from goalkeeper Obi Powell Obinna, Van Toan intercepted it before passing it to Quang Hai to shoot past goalkeeper Obi Obinna, opening the score for Olympic Vietnam.

Throughout the match, with the mobility of Van Quyet and the 4 midfielders including Duy Manh, Van Thanh, Van Quyet, Hung Dung controlling the midfield very well, Coach Park Hang Seo's students tried to compete for each ball, not giving Kouta, Yuta, Daizen and his teammates space and time to threaten Bui Tien Dung's goal.

Looking for a midfield boss

Quang Hai scored the only goal of the match. Photo: Internet

Coach Park Hang-seo takes advantage of matches like this to continue testing the squad and so far, central midfielder is the position that has been tested the most.

In this match, Hung Dung and Quang Hai were the central midfielders in the starting lineup. At the end of the first half, Hung Dung was injured and could not continue playing, he left the field to make way for Duc Huy, the central midfielders at this time only did their job of blocking. The role of passing the ball depended on Van Quyet.

When he needs to play slow and keep the ball at his feet as long as possible, Mr. Park Hang-seo sends Van Duc onto the field to replace Quang Hai. At this time, the central midfield pair is Duc Huy, Van Quyet, and Van Duc plays on the wing.

At this point, the game was much better, Van Duc came on the field and made a great assist but Ha Duc Chinh could not take advantage of the opportunity to face goalkeeper Obinna. The Nghe An player himself had a chance to score but was unsuccessful.

It is quite confusing that despite losing early, coach Moriyasu Hajime asked the Japanese U23 players to play quite slowly, using many long passes. This did not cause any difficulty for the Vietnamese defense when they switched to playing with 4 defenders by letting Van Hau play lower.

Even when the Vietnamese players deliberately slowed down the match, coach Moriyasu Hajime's students were in no hurry to push the match up.

But that did not diminish the confidence in Coach Park Hang-seo and his team. We won all 3 group stage matches, scored 6 goals, did not concede any, and deserved to be at the top of Group D.

Goal scorer: Quang Hai (3')

Starting lineup:

U23 Vietnam: Bui Tien Dung, Van Hau, Tien Dung, Dinh Trong, Duy Manh, Van Thanh, Van Quyet, Hung Dung, Quang Hai, Van Toan, Duc Chinh.

Japan U23: Obinna, Daiki, Teruki, Yugo, Ryo, Kaoru, Koji, Keita, Kouta, Yuta, Daizen