When courage decides everything

Le Van Thuan's moment of brilliance against U23 Singapore not only brought a valuable victory, but also opened up a picture of a team that is operating more and more flexibly, rich in attacking options, with 9 different players scoring in just the last 6 matches. And ahead, the decisive match against U23 Yemen will be the biggest test for the mettle of the young generation of Vietnam.

Le Van Thuan's golden goal in the 79th minute helped U23 Vietnam beat U23 Singapore 1-0, keeping the top spot in Group C and putting one foot in the finals. That victory helped U23 Vietnam have 6 points after two matches, ahead of U23 Yemen in goal difference (+3 compared to +2). In the decisive match on September 9, coach Kim and his team only need a draw to qualify for the finals. But with the philosophy of the Korean coach, "playing to win" is still the top priority.

More importantly, Van Thuan's goal showed careful tactical preparation. When the match was deadlocked, Coach Kim proactively sent the 19-year-old midfielder onto the field to take advantage of his ability to penetrate and head the ball, exploiting the space behind the Singaporean central defenders. A decisive moment, but behind it was a well-organized structure.

Van Thuan’s maturity is also reflected in his movement and ability to read situations. He does not only stop at the role of central midfielder, but also plays the role of “false striker”, often sneaking into gaps in the penalty area to finish. Three shots on goal in the second half of the Singapore match demonstrated his determination - an important quality that Coach Kim looks for in young players.

The most outstanding point of U23 Vietnam under coach Kim Sang-sik is that it does not depend on individuals. In the last 6 matches, the team has had 9 different players score: Dinh Bac, Hieu Minh, Van Khang, Xuan Bac, Ly Duc, Cong Phuong, Ngoc My, Le Viktor and Van Thuan.

Of these, only Dinh Bac and Hieu Minh scored more than one goal. Without a comprehensive “number 9”, Coach Kim changed his tactics to turn Dinh Bac into a “decoy”, pulling the opponent’s central defender out of position, opening up space for the second line and the wingers to penetrate.

In the match against Singapore, even central defenders Nhat Minh and Duc Anh were encouraged to move up high, ready to shoot from afar when there was space. Thanks to this approach, U23 Vietnam continuously created breakthrough situations from arranging the flanks, coordinating in the middle to hitting straight into the space behind the defenders.

The strategy of diversifying the “cannon” also helps the team maintain stability even though many players have not reached their peak performance. Le Viktor, Cong Phuong, Ngoc My have not yet exploded, but that makes it difficult for opponents to predict, forcing them to disperse their defense instead of locking down an individual. “We build a collective, not just one star,” Coach Kim once emphasized. That is the philosophy that creates a U23 Vietnam that is difficult to predict.

On September 9, Viet Tri Stadium will witness the most important match of Group C. U23 Yemen has a solid defense, disciplined playing style and superior physique. They defend tightly in the low block, waiting for counter-attack opportunities or high balls into the penalty area. To overcome this opponent, U23 Vietnam needs to maintain a reasonable formation distance, block the gaps in front of the goal and limit set pieces.

Coach Kim Sang-sik will likely continue to exploit the speed advantage. Players like Ngoc My, Le Viktor and Xuan Bac are expected to exploit the space behind the Yemeni central defenders. When the opponent pushes the wing, that is when U23 Vietnam speeds up, launching precise passes to take advantage of the strikers' ability to break away.

In addition, set pieces can also be key. Against a tall opponent, U23 Vietnam can use the "fake cross - return the second line" tactic or attack the near post, avoiding falling into a disadvantageous aerial battle. Van Thuan, who scored a goal from a smart header, will continue to be a reliable option in decisive moments.

If they win at least one point, U23 Vietnam will qualify for the AFC U23 Championship for the sixth consecutive time. But if they win, the team will end the qualifying round with a stronger message: we are not only going forward, but also ready to compete at a higher level.

On the evening of September 9, the match with U23 Yemen is not just a 90-minute ticket battle. It is also a test of collective mettle, an opportunity for the younger generation to affirm their position and aspirations. With a clearly established tactical foundation, a good result will not only bring U23 Vietnam to the 2026 AFC U23 Championship, but also lay the foundation for further goals of going deeper, creating breakthroughs, and writing new pages of Vietnamese football.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/khi-ban-linh-quyet-dinh-tat-ca-166731.html