U23 Vietnam - U23 Timor Leste: Van Tung and Thanh Minh speak up

Even in the 4th match, they lost to the team that was eliminated early, U23 Timor Leste. Therefore, it is understandable that in this match, Mr. Park Hang-seo kept all 3 players over 23 years old, Hung Dung, Hoang Duc and Tien Linh, giving opportunities to all the young players, including those who did not play in the previous 3 matches.

In goal, Van Toan is still trusted and in the defense, Duy Cuong is present for the first time with Viet Anh and Tien Long. The two full-backs are Van Do and Tuan Tai. Midfielders Cong Den and Hoang Anh (captain) are those who have played before, along with Trong Long, who is starting for the first time. In the attack, Van Tung and Thanh Minh are the two names chosen.

U23 Vietnam faced many difficulties against U23 Timor Leste. Photo: Bao Long

Against an opponent they just met at the Southeast Asian U23 Championship,U23 Vietnamactively attacked from many directions but always encountered a crowded defense, playing tightly so could not successfully penetrate, although there were a few opportunities from shots pushed away by the goalkeeper, or the header at the end of the first half was blocked by the goalkeeper hitting the post by Van Tung or the header by Thanh Minh.

The fact that the opponents, despite their different strengths and weaknesses, always huddled together to defend caused U23 Vietnam to be stuck for most of the first half of the match, forcing Mr. Park Hang-seo to make necessary changes in the second half.

Van Tung scored the opening goal for U23 Vietnam. Photo: VFF

Indeed, in the second half, Mr. Park Hang-seo brought Quang Nho in to play right center back, Van Xuan replaced Tuan Tai to play left back to attack and the U23 Vietnam machine started to operate smoothly as usual.

Van Xuan was the spark and creator of both goals for U23 Vietnam from an accurate cross and a corner kick for Van Tung to score in the 53rd minute and Thanh Minh also jumped high to head the ball in the 65th minute.

The red stands on a rainy day could not witness an exciting match of U23 Vietnam. Photo: Referee

Hai Long was then sent onto the field along with his seniors Hung Dung and Tien Linh to maintain the tempo of play before the semi-finals. In the second half of this match, Mr. Park Hang-seo used many unfamiliar positions for players considered versatile such as Quang Nho in the right center-back position, Cong Den or Trong Long as a right-sided attacking full-back, but everything was still under control. Therefore, in the second half, U23 Vietnam also mainly attacked on the left side with Van Xuan moving up, often stirring up this flank and sparking very annoying attacks, including 2 assists.

Winning this match easily, U23 Vietnam surpassed U23 Indonesia by 9 points after 4 matches, to rise to the top of Group A with 10 points and officially declare war on any team in the semi-finals, even if it is the arch-rival U23 Thailand.

After 4 group matches, U23 Vietnam has not conceded any goals, scoring 6 goals, in which strikers Tien Linh, Van Tung and Thanh Minh have all "scored", not to mention captain Hung Dung has scored 2 goals.

U23 Vietnam continues to have a difficult match in Viet Tri. Photo: Referee

The goals scored by U23 Vietnam all came from beautiful coordination on both wings, in the middle, from precise crosses, from corner kicks... That proves that U23 Vietnam is gradually solving the problem of attacking a lot but scoring with difficulty, knowing how to solve the game with a set piece, ready to fight in the air against any opponent while still maximizing the small, skillful passing style of play in a narrow area...

Striker Ho Thanh Minh celebrates the goal that increased the score to 2-0. Photo: VFF

But the upcoming semi-final, whether it is U23 Thailand or U23 Malaysia, the level of difficulty and obstacles is still much greater than the opponents in the group stage. Moreover, this is a knock-out match, there is no room for mistakes or shortcomings, so U23 Vietnam must play with more than 100% of their current form, must quickly resolve all opponents if possible, and not wait until the second half to strike, otherwise it may still not be possible or the longer the delay, the more difficult it will be, putting more pressure on the heavy legs.