Pham Ly Duc (middle) and Nguyen Hieu Minh (right) contributed 3 out of 5 goals of U23 Vietnam after the group stage of U23 Southeast Asia - Photo: VFF
"Five goals after two group stage matches is not a small number for U23 Vietnam. But behind that number is a problem in the team's attacking style. That is the goal contribution rate of the strikers is low compared to the defenders," commentator Ngo Quang Tung told Tuoi Tre Online .
Specifically, 3 out of 5 goals scored by U23 Vietnam against Laos and Cambodia came from defenders (Nguyen Hieu Minh, Pham Ly Duc). That does not include the assist of center back Nguyen Nhat Minh in the match against Laos. The team's remaining two goals were scored by Khuat Van Khang and Nguyen Dinh Bac.
Of the 4 strikers of U23 Vietnam, up to now only Dinh Bac has scored a goal. The others, Viktor Le, Nguyen Quoc Viet, Nguyen Ngoc My, have not been able to score.
If we count Nguyen Xuan Bac and Nguyen Van Truong - 2 players who are good at being strikers, but were placed by coach Kim Sang Sik as central midfielders in this tournament - we can see even more the meager contribution of the U23 Vietnam attack.
"The number of goals scored by the strikers is too few compared to the opportunities they have. It is clear that the ability to convert opportunities into goals of U23 Vietnam is not good.
Because the attack is not good, plus the two opponents Laos and Cambodia play deep, the defenders have to push up to participate more in the attack. Therefore, it is understandable that the defenders score and create many goals," commented commentator Quang Tung.
The strikers of U23 Vietnam, including Viktor Le (number 14), are not playing effectively due to missing many opportunities - Photo: VFF
All 5 goals of U23 Vietnam up to this point have come from set pieces and high balls. That partly shows the simple playing style, focusing on efficiency as the highest, that coach Kim Sang Sik has built for the team.
"The simple playing idea that Mr. Kim built for the national team is clearly evident at the U23 Vietnam level. When facing moderate teams (like Laos and Cambodia), this playing style is clearly effective. But if facing stronger opponents, I believe that U23 Vietnam will be challenged," commented commentator Quang Tung.
This commentator pointed out the big difference between U23 Vietnam and the other semi-final teams, U23 Indonesia and U23 Thailand, which is the ability to organize play, dictate the game and resolve situations.
In these stages, U23 Thailand is clearly superior to U23 Vietnam due to consistent synchronization at all team levels.
"When facing strong teams, will coach Kim instruct the central defenders to attack more? Will our defenders be able to score from set pieces? What other options do we have to put pressure on the defense and disrupt the opponent's game? Those are the questions we are waiting for coach Kim and U23 Vietnam to answer," said commentator Quang Tung.
He continued: "This is only the youth level, the players still have many mistakes, the drawings are still very scribbled. Hopefully when we reach the semi-finals, we will play more smoothly, calmly, less hastily and miss less."
At 4:00 p.m. this afternoon, July 25, U23 Vietnam will face U23 Philippines in the semi-finals of the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship. A victory will be a springboard for U23 Vietnam players to successfully defend their championship title.
Commentator Ngo Quang Tung was born in 1972 in Nghe An, is a Lieutenant Colonel of the Vietnam People's Army, currently holding the position of Deputy Director of Viettel Sports Company - the management unit of The Cong - Viettel Club.
As the son of former football star Ngo Xuan Quynh - the legend of The Cong Club, Mr. Ngo Quang Tung has a strong passion for football, tried to become a player but failed. He decided to turn to storytelling and football commentary and has been active in this field for nearly 30 years.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/binh-luan-vien-quang-tung-cach-choi-cua-u23-viet-nam-bi-thach-thuc-20250725093647339.htm
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