Psychological test for U.23 Vietnam at SEA Games 33: Keep a 'cool' head

To return to the top of the SEA Games after 3 years of waiting, U.23 Vietnam needs to overcome psychological obstacles at a crucial moment.

U.23 Vietnam needs to practice 'psychological warfare'

U.23 Vietnam has won 2 out of the last 3 SEA Games (in 2019 and 2022), thanks to 2 important factors: potential young players, in addition to quality from over-age players.

At SEA Games 30 (2019), a quality young force that has competed in many big and small tournaments such as Quang Hai, Thanh Chung, Van Hau, Hoang Duc, Tien Linh, Duc Chinh... combined with two seniors Hung Dung and Trong Hoang to create a squad with a perfect balance between experience and youth.

By the 31st SEA Games (2022), the quality of young players has declined, and it is difficult to avoid it being the same as the previous generation, but U.23 Vietnam is allowed to use 3 overage players. Coach Park Hang-seo called Hung Dung, Hoang Duc and Tien Linh, creating a miniature national team to defend the gold medal.

U.23 Vietnam (red shirt) is ready

PHOTO: MINH TU

However, at the 32nd SEA Games, without the overage seniors to play alongside (due to the regulations of the host Cambodia, which only allowed players under 23 years old), U.23 Vietnam collapsed at the decisive moment. In the semi-final match against U.23 Indonesia, the team coached by coach Philippe Troussier had 30 minutes of playing with an advantage, but ultimately lost 2-3 when conceding a goal in extra time to the opponent's cold counterattack.

Previously, in 2017, U.23 Vietnam also left regret when losing 0-3 to U.23 Thailand in the final match, leading to being eliminated in the group stage (even though they only needed a draw to continue).

The common point of the above two failures is the wavering mentality at the decisive moment. U.23 Vietnam did not lose because of an excellent opponent (the Vietnamese players even pressed the field and had many opportunities), but collapsed because of individual mistakes. Or in other words, we... "shot" ourselves in the foot.

The two most recent SEA Games championships mainly came from the mettle of the young generation honed through many tournaments, and with the guidance of experienced, courageous seniors, they were able to take on many strong opponents to win the title.

Now in the hands of coach Kim Sang-sik there are no more over-age players, nor are there any more players who are continuously trained in the national team.

In the past 5 matches in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, only 2 U.23 players have started for the Vietnam team, namely goalkeeper Trung Kien and center-back Hieu Minh, against a weak opponent (Nepal). Previously, at the 2024 AFF Cup, only Vi Hao was the U.23 player that was trusted.

Dinh Bac is a rare U.23 player with a starting position at the club.

PHOTO: MINH TU

In V-League, only Trung Kien, Hieu Minh, Thai Son, Dinh Bac, Xuan Bac, Thanh Nhan, Nhat Minh, Phi Hoang, Van Khang, Van Thuan are guaranteed to be in the starting lineup. However, these are just... starting lineups, and have not yet made a clear impression.

Therefore, although the potential of U.23 Vietnam is undeniable, Mr. Kim's students still need to practice more psychological warfare. The pressure of winning the championship is a "rock" that can crush any generation that is not well prepared.

Make an effort from the beginning

U.23 Vietnam had a good preparation for SEA Games 33. Coach Kim Sang-sik and his team won all 4 matches in the U.23 Southeast Asia tournament to defend their title. In the Asian qualifying round, U.23 Vietnam continued to win all 3 matches to secure a ticket.

U.23 Vietnam also competed with many strong opponents (2 friendly tournaments in China), with positive results against U.23 China (won 1-0, drew 1-1), U.23 Korea (drawn 1-1, lost 0-1) or U.23 Uzbekistan (drawn 0-0, lost 0-1).

However, even when facing strong opponents, the mentality of playing friendly matches and playing in official tournaments is very different. Many talented generations of Vietnamese football have buried their careers at the SEA Games because they could not beat themselves. That is the lesson that Mr. Kim and his students need to remember.

Coach Kim Sang-sik needs to do well in the psychological aspect.

PHOTO: MINH TU

The positive signal for U.23 Vietnam is the scientific , disciplined and tight defensive style that Mr. Kim has proposed to help the young players grow up every day. With a good formation strategy, ensuring the distance between the lines (especially between the defense and the midfield), and a flexible and agile way of playing depending on the progress of the match, U.23 Vietnam can limit individual mistakes.

Of course, Mr. Kim can hardly control the whole situation, at an age where the psychology of competition is unpredictable. The Korean strategist can only outline tactics to help his students keep their feet on the ground. How far they can be implemented depends on the efforts of Dinh Bac and his teammates.

U.23 Vietnam will play against U.23 Laos on December 4, then face U.23 Malaysia on December 11. The 3-team group stage format forces Mr. Kim's students to try their best from the start. Any mistake will lead to a high price.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bai-kiem-tra-tam-ly-cho-u23-viet-nam-tai-sea-games-33-giu-cai-dau-lanh-185251127150553877.htm