Vietnam futsal team won but still worried

SLOW HEATING UP

In the first 3 matches of the 2024 Southeast Asian Futsal Championship, the Vietnamese futsal team won all matches against Malaysia, Timor Leste and Brunei with impressive statistics: scoring 20 goals, conceding 1 goal. The match against the Thai team at 6:00 p.m. today (November 6) is only a competition for the top spot. Coach Diego Giustozzi's students have run perfectly to reach the semi-finals. In terms of achievements, it is difficult to demand more from a team that is in the transition period, no longer at its peak like the period when it won tickets to the World Cup twice (2016 and 2021). However, the playing style of the Vietnamese futsal team still has many "ripples". The two victories against Timor Leste (4-1) and Brunei (14-0) are not worth mentioning, because the opponents are at a very low level. In the 2-0 victory against Malaysia, the scratches were revealed in the performance of Pham Duc Hoa and his teammates.

Vietnam futsal team (left) won all first 3 matches in the 2024 Southeast Asian Championship

First of all, the ability to catch the rhythm of the game slowly, causing the Vietnamese futsal team to often struggle in the first half. Whether coach Giustozzi uses the main or reserve team, on the field, the Vietnamese players often play disjointedly and panic in the early stages of the match. In the match against Timor Leste, Vietnam only led 1-0 in the first 20 minutes with dozens of missed opportunities, then let the opponent equalize 1-1 right at the beginning of the second half. In the match against Malaysia, Mr. Giustozzi's students were held to a 0-0 draw in the first half, with Malaysia being the team that created more opportunities. In the match against Brunei, despite winning by 14 goals, Vietnam only scored 3 goals in the first half, in which the players continuously missed shots in the last 5 minutes despite using power-play to attack with all their might.

The habit of starting slowly caused the Vietnamese futsal team to lose the Asian tournament, and then missed out on a ticket to the World Cup a few months ago. Coach Giustozzi wanted to help his players correct their mistakes by choosing a more cautious and controlling style of play. However, the results have not yet come. The Vietnamese futsal team only accelerates when they have a favorable psychological momentum, instead of controlling the pace of play. This is an obstacle that the whole team must overcome, because when facing Thailand or Indonesia in the later rounds, a slow start means "shooting yourself in the foot". Against strong opponents, the machine needs to be hot from the first minute.

Besides, the ability to take advantage of opportunities is also an issue that makes Mr. Giustozzi shake his head many times when watching his students compete. Without Nguyen Minh Tri, the "firepower" has to be divided equally among Nguyen Thinh Phat, Chau Doan Phat, Nguyen Thai Huy, Nhan Gia Hung... Besides the bright spot that the task of scoring goals does not depend on any name, but is spread evenly from ala, pivo to fixo, the fact that Vietnamese players finish relatively... carelessly is also the reason why the whole team is having difficulties. It is necessary to cherish the opportunities that are available, find more reliable shooting angles, because in the upcoming matches, there will not be many opportunities to score goals.

WHERE IS THE "TRIP CARD"?

The Vietnamese futsal team has had 5 years of success (2016 - 2021) despite being coached by many different strategists, such as Bruno Formoso (2016 Asian semi-final), Miguel Rodrigo (2016 World Cup round of 16) or Pham Minh Giang (2021 World Cup round of 16). The reason is that the coaches have built very even and well-rounded teams. Each team has its own color, advantage, serving its own tactical intention. Thanks to that, the Vietnamese futsal team adapts very well to the developments of the match, and can play with many different tactics.

However, at present, it seems that Mr. Giustozzi has not been able to find the most satisfactory formations. The formations of Duc Hoa, Gia Hung, Thai Huy, Doan Phat, or Thinh Phat, Manh Dung, Minh Quang have not shown satisfactory cohesion to serve the intention of controlling the ball or attacking. The confusion was most evident in the match with Malaysia, when the tactical choices of the Argentine coach had to wait until the second half to be effective. The Vietnamese futsal team needs "trump cards", which are powerful reserve formations to counter the opponent's pressure in the upcoming rounds.

Regarding player quality, we must frankly admit that the Vietnamese futsal team is no longer what it used to be. The key to victory will lie in the ability to adapt flexibly in a specific match.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/doi-tuyen-futsal-viet-nam-thang-nhung-van-lo-185241105221119049.htm