The Vietnam U23 team is making the best possible preparations.

On the beautiful grass of the new training ground, the Vietnam U.23 team trained in a relaxed and cheerful spirit. Coach Kim Sang-sik is making good preparations for the semi-final match against the Philippines U.23 team at 3:30 PM tomorrow (December 15).

Vietnam U23 team trains at new stadium.

Due to internal matters at the RBAC University football field, the organizing committee moved the Vietnamese U23 team to a new training ground for December 13th and 14th. The new training ground, named 72nd Anniversary, is located approximately 25 km from the team's accommodation. To avoid potential traffic congestion in Bangkok (Thailand), Coach Kim Sang-sik had the entire team leave the hotel early to be on time for the 3 PM training session. At the new training ground, the grass is of very high quality, thick and meticulously trimmed. The surface is leveled and free of potholes, unlike the RBAC University football field, which greatly pleased Coach Kim Sang-sik. The improved surface allows the players to perform various technical maneuvers without fear of injury.

Earlier on the morning of December 13th, Coach Kim Sang-sik held a debriefing meeting with the entire team. The South Korean head coach conveyed a very clear message, wanting all his players to focus because they could not afford to make any mistakes in the semi-final. The Vietnam U23 team had to play at their best to defeat the Philippines U23 team and advance to the final. Coach Kim Sang-sik also requested that each player seriously assess and analyze the opponent's strengths and weaknesses to ensure that no mistakes occurred when the match began.

New training ground boosts Vietnam U.23 team ahead of crucial match against the Philippines.

Vietnam U23 team trains on a new pitch.

Photo: Nhat Thinh

We will make good use of set pieces.

Even now, the entire Vietnam U23 team still remembers how frustrated coach Kim Sang-sik was after conceding a goal in the opening match against Laos U23. That lesson followed the team into the next match against Malaysia U23. Thanks to that, Vietnam U23 played well, kept a clean sheet, and won to secure first place in Group B.

Appointed to give a press interview, 1.91m tall goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien shared: "After the victory against U23 Malaysia, the whole team has regrouped and trained according to Coach Kim Sang-sik's plan, preparing for the match against U23 Philippines. I think the victory against U23 Malaysia will give the whole team more confidence heading into the semi-finals. After each match, we sit down to assess the strengths and weaknesses of each player, and everything is resolved in the meeting with Coach Kim. In my assessment, U23 Philippines is a very strong team; they defeated U23 Indonesia in the group stage. U23 Philippines will pose many difficulties for us, so the whole team must play with focus and the best spirit to win."

In particular, coach Kim Sang-sik also noted that the whole team needs to make good use of set pieces to score goals and decide the match. The good physique of the current U23 Vietnam players, including Hieu Minh, Ly Duc, Dinh Bac, Le Viktor, etc., helps U23 Vietnam take advantage of set pieces with very good aerial balls.

However, caution is needed regarding the throw-ins of the U.23 Philippines. It was the U.23 Philippines who sent U.23 Indonesia home with dangerous throw-in combinations to score goals.

The U23 Philippines are highly rated, but the U23 Vietnam team is in the best possible condition. Coach Kim Sang-sik's players are ready to enter the semi-final match and defeat their opponent with attacking plays that have been perfected through practice.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/u23-viet-nam-dang-co-su-chuan-bi-tot-nhat-thay-kim-chua-muon-ve-som-18525121323101169.htm