Before the ball rolled in the semi-final match, coach Garrath McPherson of the U23 Philippines said: “Before the 2025 U23 Southeast Asian Championship, we were not highly rated. However, with each match, the U23 Philippines played better, before we won the ticket to the semi-finals.”
“My players have a very strong sense of national pride. They are proud to wear the Philippine U23 team jersey. We have the support of our domestic fans,” added coach Garrath McPherson.
Coach Garrath McPherson of the Philippines U23 (Photo: PFF).
Mr. Garrath McPherson believes that in theory, U23 Vietnam is rated higher than U23 Philippines. However, Mr. Garrath McPherson still believes in the home team's ability to win.
The coach said: “Vietnamese players are very experienced. They regularly play in professional tournaments in the country. Some of the U23 Vietnam players are playing for the national team. In particular, U23 Vietnam players are very dangerous in set pieces (we scored 3 goals in set pieces in the group stage).”
“I have researched and found a way to prevent set pieces like this from the opponent. The U23 Philippines team does not lack players who are very good at playing high balls. Let’s wait and see how we can control the U23 Vietnam team,” the coach of the U23 Philippines team confidently declared.
Coach Garrath McPherson revealed that U23 Philippines is not afraid of U23 Vietnam's high balls (Photo: VFF).
In addition, coach Garrath McPherson also revealed the positions where U23 Philippines can surprise U23 Vietnam in the semi-final match tomorrow (July 25).
“Players like our strikers Otu Banatao and Javier Mariona have appeared at the AFF Cup. They have international experience and good tactical vision,” said Garrath McPherson.
“The above players have made great contributions to the U23 Philippines’ journey to the semi-finals. In addition, our remaining positions are quite even. I believe that the entire U23 Philippines team is made up of quality players,” coach Garrath McPherson confidently affirmed.
The semi-final match of the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship between U23 Vietnam and U23 Philippines will take place at 4:00 p.m. tomorrow at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia. The winner of this semi-final match will play the final on July 29. The loser will play the third-place match on July 28.
Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/hlv-u23-philippines-tuyen-bo-da-bat-bai-u23-viet-nam-20250724141610577.htm
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