U23 Vietnam (red shirt) needs to finish better to win - Photo: ANH KHOA
This is also the match for coach Kim Sang Sik to prove his true talent, hoping to step onto the podium of glory with U23 Vietnam.
Since the beginning of the tournament, the U23 Vietnam team has not faced any significant challenges. Despite wasting many scoring opportunities, coach Kim Sang Sik's team still won all 3 matches against weaker opponents. Meanwhile, U23 Indonesia has both home field advantage and showed formidable strength after eliminating championship candidate U23 Thailand in the semi-finals.
Mr. Kim's calculation
After a day of rest and physical recovery, the U23 Vietnam team returned to the training ground yesterday (July 27) to prepare for the final match. Coach Kim Sang Sik taught his players about the limitations in the semi-final match against U23 Philippines, and also tested tactics for the most important match of the tournament against U23 Indonesia.
Although there is still much to say about the poor finishing ability of the U23 Vietnam strikers, it cannot be denied that coach Kim Sang Sik showed his ability to adapt his tactics flexibly.
In every difficult moment of the attack, the Korean coach always had a player from the back line score to bring victory to the home team. Most recently, Xuan Bac - central midfielder - scored a header to seal a 2-1 comeback victory against U23 Philippines and received the title of "Best Player of the Match".
Entering the tournament, Thai Son and Van Truong were coach Kim Sang Sik's number 1 choices in the midfield circle. But since the second match he started instead of Thai Son, Xuan Bac has taken over the position.
Xuan Bac's impressive performance also put coach Kim Sang Sik in a difficult situation for the final match. Playing against a very strong U23 Indonesia, especially in the midfield, the U23 Vietnam team needs a pair of combative central midfielders to stop the opponent.
Xuan Bac is not as strong in defense as Thai Son, so choosing between these two players to pair with Van Truong will force Mr. Kim to calculate. But it is not excluded that coach Kim Sang Sik will throw another surprise for U23 Indonesia with a brand new central midfield pair of Van Truong - Viktor Le or Viktor Le - Xuan Bac.
The pair Viktor Le - Xuan Bac were also used by acting head coach Dinh Hong Vinh in two matches against U23 Korea and Uzbekistan in the international friendly tournament CFA China Team 2025 last March.
U23 Vietnam (red shirt) aims to defeat U23 Indonesia - Photo: ANH KHOA
Prepare for multiple options
Regardless of the personnel arrangement, the U23 Vietnam team will not change the playing style that has been improving with each match.
The wing attack, with diverse passes from both wings, will still be the main strategy of coach Kim Sang Sik to lead the U23 Vietnam team to victory. In addition, the ability to score from set pieces is also a "weapon" that cannot be underestimated.
However, the U23 Vietnam team still has to prepare for many options when the home team has many strengths both on and off the field. The U23 Indonesia defense has only conceded 1 goal after 4 matches, which will be a big challenge for the U23 Vietnam offense, which has not really played well.
Dinh Bac scored 2 goals but the number of chances he missed was more than double. Main striker Quoc Viet has not scored even 1 goal.
If there is a change in midfield personnel, it is not impossible that coach Kim Sang Sik will, for the first time in the tournament, push Van Truong up to play as a striker to surprise the opponent. Van Truong's ability to compete and press well will help the U23 Vietnam team have more options to approach the U23 Indonesia goal instead of just crossing and heading the ball, which is easily predictable by the well-organized defense of the home team.
With a good attack, U23 Vietnam will have more chances to win. U23 Indonesia itself also wants to finish the match in 90 minutes after spending a lot of energy in the semi-final match that lasted for 120 minutes with U23 Thailand. Therefore, U23 Vietnam's defense must play more focused to avoid conceding goals.
Especially having to compete under great pressure from Indonesian fans, who promise to come to Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in large numbers to cheer for the champion team. Remember, the last 3 matches of U23 Vietnam took place in empty stands, so there is little pressure on the young players.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/giai-u23-dong-nam-a-2025-cho-tai-nang-cua-hlv-kim-sang-sik-20250727234530645.htm
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