The championship of U.23 Vietnam is so valuable

What can we learn from the Vietnam U.23 team?

The Vietnamese U23 team's journey to defend their Southeast Asian title began with doubts. Fans were worried when coach Kim Sang-sik dropped many experienced players like Van Cuong and Xuan Tien to select some new talents. Victories against Laos and Cambodia, which weren't entirely convincing, also failed to satisfy everyone. However, in the semi-finals and final, the Vietnamese U23 players demonstrated the true class of a top championship contender.

A well-deserved championship for Vietnam U.23.

Vietnam U23 team (right) matures after winning the Southeast Asian Championship. - KHANG

PHOTO: DONG NGUYEN

Against the Philippines U23 team, the Vietnam U23 team completely dominated the game, creating numerous scoring opportunities. Despite falling behind, Coach Kim Sang-sik's players remained unfazed, maintaining constant pressure. With such pressure, goals were only a matter of time. Ultimately, Dinh Bac and Xuan Bac scored, helping Vietnam U23 come from behind to win 2-1 and advance to the final. In the final match against the host nation, Indonesia U23, the champions' resilience was even more evident. Vietnam U23 didn't have much possession, but still controlled the game. We took the lead after Cong Phuong's decisive shot, then played tight defense, ready to create quality counter-attacks. Indonesia U23's crosses, throw-ins, and central attacks were all neutralized.

Coach Kim Sang-sik: 'Vietnam U23 won because they knew how to turn pressure into motivation'

Talented boys

The Vietnam U23 team played so well that even top scorer Jens Raven exclaimed: "They played too tightly and pressed too quickly, making things difficult." In the second half, when the Indonesia U23 team pushed forward with relentless attacks, the Vietnam U23 team still gave fans a feeling of extreme reassurance, not fearing the opponent scoring. This was also the reason why the Indonesian U23 players and coaching staff at times lost their composure.

The Vietnamese U23 team's ability to attack down the flanks and set up set pieces was also very impressive. Coach Kim honed these tactics, making them unstoppable for opponents. Coach Garrarth McPherson had previously stated he could neutralize the aerial attacks of the Vietnamese U23 team, but the Philippine U23 team still collapsed after two headers.

AREAS THAT NEED IMPROVE

However, the Vietnam U23 team still has many weaknesses. Firstly, the strikers squandered too many opportunities. Even Dinh Bac – the best player of the tournament – missed many good chances. Coach Kim Sang-sik has repeatedly admitted that poor finishing is a problem for the Vietnam U23 team. Secondly, the Vietnam U23 team sometimes lacked focus and decisiveness, clearly demonstrated in the two goals conceded against Cambodia and the Philippines. The team's mentality is also a point to consider. Some players lacking international experience, such as Anh Quan and Le Viktor, haven't been able to fully utilize their abilities due to nervousness. Fortunately, these players have improved with each match and will certainly be more stable in upcoming tournaments.

Overall, the Vietnam U23 team has gained a lot from this tournament. Coach Kim has clearly identified strengths and weaknesses, as well as discovered new talents like Xuan Bac and Cong Phuong, who can further refine their signature attacking moves and experiment with new tactical approaches. More importantly, the team spirit and desire to contribute shown by the players are positive signs for the future. If the squad is strengthened with quality players from the V-League (such as overseas Vietnamese player Tran Thanh Trung), the Vietnam U23 team's strength promises to be even more formidable. Therefore, winning the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship is not just a temporary achievement, but also a stepping stone for Vietnamese youth football to reach bigger goals in the region and continent.

What can we learn from the Vietnam U.23 team?

AREAS THAT NEED IMPROVE

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