Mr. Doan Minh Xuong: 'U23 Vietnam players are still immature'

According to football expert Doan Minh Xuong, Vietnam may have to pay a heavy price if they meet a stronger opponent than Kuwait in the opening match of the 2024 AFC U23 Championship yesterday.

Vietnamese players celebrate their goal in the match against Kuwait in the first round of Group D of the 2024 AFC U23 Championship finals. Photo: Doan Huynh. — Vietnamese players celebrate their goal in the match against Kuwait in the first round of Group D of the 2024 AFC U23 Championship finals. Photo: *Doan Huynh.*

Vietnam started the tournament in Qatar with a 3-1 victory over Kuwait. This was an important result, helping the team lead Group D with the same three points as their competitor Uzbekistan. In the second round on April 20, if they defeat the lower-rated opponent Malaysia, coach Hoang Anh Tuan and his team will certainly win one of the two tickets to the quarterfinals.

However, what the Vietnamese players showed at Al Janoub Stadium, Doha yesterday also caused a lot of controversy, especially the issue of the playing tempo, the mistake that led to the red card of defender Nguyen Ngoc Thang or the confusing missed situation of striker Nguyen Minh Quang.

"First of all, we must congratulate coach Hoang Anh Tuan and his team for their favorable start. A victory at this time is like a shower of rain pouring down on Vietnamese football after many months of drought," Mr. Doan Minh Xuong commented to VnExpress . "But we also need to frankly admit that the players did not have a really good match, did not play to their full potential and made many mistakes. They may have to pay the price if they meet a stronger opponent. I say this not to criticize but to hope that the team will promptly correct and overcome in order to play better in the upcoming matches."

Vo Hoang Minh Khoa (number 6) dribbles the ball during the match against Kuwait. Photo: Doan Huynh. — Vo Hoang Minh Khoa (number 6) dribbles the ball during the match against Kuwait. Photo: *Doan Huynh.*

According to Mr. Xuong, the Vietnamese players entered the match somewhat stiffly, and the coordination between the lines was not good. In addition, some players played individually, typically Nguyen Dinh Bac and Khuat Van Khang. "After what he showed in the national team jersey under coach Philippe Troussier, Dinh Bac was expected a lot in this youth tournament. But he has not created a clear position to show off. He is not the type of player who can make a difference by playing deep to create assists," Mr. Xuong commented on Dinh Bac - who only played for about 12 minutes before being replaced due to injury. "Van Khang played too individually, and the situation of competing for a shot with Nguyen Van Tung in the 15th minute is an example. In this situation, Van Tung was handling the ball and was about to dive, so he should have finished, but Van Khang jumped in to compete, leading to a collision, missing the opportunity in front of the Kuwait goal. After that, Van Khang also wasted a free kick. Instead of passing the ball, he played individually, wanting to score from an unimaginable distance."

Mr. Xuong especially emphasized the mistake that led to Ngoc Thang's red card in the 45+3 minute, saying that it was a silly way of handling the ball, not due to skill or mentality. From a defensive situation on the right wing, defender Ngoc Thang did not clear the ball but let the Kuwaiti striker pass and then hugged him to block it. After consulting VAR, the referee gave Ngoc Thang a red card and awarded a penalty to Vietnam - leading to a 1-1 draw for Kuwait.

"I don't understand why Ngoc Thang handled it like that," said the former coach from Ho Chi Minh City. "He was closer to the ball than his opponent, he should have run to clear the ball instead of slowing down and being passed and suffering serious consequences. Ngoc Thang has played in the V-League since 2020, and was with Vietnam to win the U23 Southeast Asian Championship held in Cambodia in 2021, so it cannot be blamed on lack of experience. He was a bit subjective, not focused on playing football but only looking to commit a foul."

Before Ngoc Thang's foul, Vietnam had many advantages when playing with one more man from the 31st minute when striker Ebrahim Marzouq was red-carded for stepping on Van Khang's thigh. In the 45+2 minute, the team converted the numerical advantage into the opening goal thanks to striker Van Tung. However, Mr. Xuong expressed confusion about why coach Hoang Anh Tuan did not change his tactics, still playing defensively - counter-attacking despite playing with one more man during the last 15 minutes of the first half.

"Anyway, coach Hoang Anh Tuan has just taken charge, he needs more time to connect the positions and choose the most suitable lineup," Mr. Xuong concluded. "On a positive note, with this victory, Vietnam has broken the streak of not winning the opening match at the AFC U23 Championship. It is a spiritual medicine for the players in the upcoming matches. I have that belief."