Why do U23 teams always reveal weaknesses?

So far after 2-3 matches in groups A and B of men's footballSEA Games 31, the candidate teams are all revealing very interesting contrasts. The strengths and weaknesses of each team have been exposed to the opponent and it can be said that initial predictions can easily go in a different direction in the face of this vivid and… unusual reality.

U23 Vietnam.

First of all, in Group A, U23 Myanmar has unexpectedly risen to the top of the table, surpassing both host U23 Vietnam and U23 Indonesia. Although nothing can be said for sure when U23 Myanmar still has to face two very strong teams, U23 Vietnam and U23 Indonesia, the fact that they previously defeated U23 Philippines 3-2 is something that forces Mr. Park Hang-seo to keep a close eye on this team, if he does not want to make an unfortunate mistake. Remember, U23 Philippines previously also unexpectedly drew 0-0 with U23 Vietnam, but the fact that this team had to play 3 consecutive matches in 6 days has caused things to get out of control.

In general, all 3 teams in Group B are in the same situation: After a good match, they immediately encounter an unsatisfactory match. U23 Vietnam played like a man possessed in the second half in a 3-0 win over U23 Indonesia but were deadlocked in the match against U23 Philippines. U23 Myanmar played very badly despite a close win over U23 Timo Leste but played quite well in the match against U23 Philippines. Meanwhile, U23 Philippines played well in the first 2 matches but in the match against U23 Myanmar, they let their opponents "shoot" 3 goals into their net, despite having some sublime moments at the end of the first half when they took a 1-2 lead before the break.

In Group B, U23 Thailand unexpectedly lost narrowly on the opening day to rival U23 Malaysia 1-2, but immediately after that, they scored 5 goals in a row to crush U23 Singapore, bringing confidence in a candidate for the championship. U23 Cambodia has just played its first match but could very well be a tough opponent for the opponents in the group, while U23 Laos cannot maintain the excitement to play football, so it is very easy to lose.

To see, the candidates for the semi-finals ahead, although highly rated, are not performing as expected by the coaches and fans. Up to now, no team has demonstrated the necessary stability with the balance between attack and defense, between main force and reserve, the ability to overcome difficulties and achieve the set goals. Every U23 team up to now has revealed weaknesses and opponents have no difficulty predicting and stopping them, including U23 Vietnam.

U23 Thailand even lost the opening match.

The leading candidates for the semi-finals ahead such as U23 Thailand even lost their opening match, easily finishing second in the group and unable to take the initiative in everything, if not to say that the previous stage will be full of difficulties. The same situation also happened to U23 Vietnam when they were unexpectedly held to a draw by a defensive opponent and so far, whether they can win the top spot as planned or not is still a difficult question? U23 Indonesia, with abundant potential, immediately fell into a passive position when they were crushed by the host U23 Vietnam and winning the top spot in the group is unlikely, no different from U23 Thailand. Meanwhile, U23 Myanmar and U23 Malaysia will be "dark horses" worth paying attention to when the big teams have all encountered different big and small problems and it is not easy to proactively calculate every path and step.

It is also to see that youth football in the lowlands has a lot of potential but also has inherent weaknesses on the way to development. The area has many good teachers gathering and competing, which is a valuable plus point. Many potential young players are being trained and nurtured in developed football backgrounds, bringing with them many other bright hopes. The care for youth training is being focused on more fundamentally than ever. But except for Thailand, it can be said that the remaining national championships are at the semi-professional level, even heavily on the movement, many evils have not been completely eliminated, so the quality continues to be the "lowest" in the world. And the results of the group stage of the 31st SEA Games this time immediately vividly demonstrated that.

The fact that some big teams have a bad match has long been considered normal, a normal accident. But the fact that all teams play erratically, lack stability and cannot overcome is abnormal, as demonstrated above. Of course, every tournament will reach the finish line and there will be a champion, and the men's football of the 31st SEA Games is no exception. It is worth mentioning that after 2-3 group stage matches, almost all potential candidates have become wavering in all assessments and hopes. Therefore, it is very difficult to predict exactly which team will reach the semi-finals in the current conditions, let alone the identity of the team that is likely to go all the way?