U22 Vietnam starts cautiously against U22 Laos

At 7:00 p.m. on April 30, the U22 Vietnam team will play their first match at the 32nd SEA Games, against U22 Laos. As the defending champions, U22 Vietnam is rated much higher than their opponents from the Land of a Million Elephants. However, with what has happened during the preparation for this tournament, we cannot be optimistic about an easy victory for the young team of "golden stars".

U22 Vietnam players practice with determination for SEA Games 32. Photo: VFF

Coach Park Hang-seo has left behind 2 gold medals in 2 consecutive SEA Games and his successor Philippe Troussier is under pressure to make a difference in this Southeast Asian tournament. The French coach brought 24 players to Cambodia and narrowed them down to 20 players who officially participated. However, among them, there are not many outstanding names like the senior generation. The most anticipated player is Viettel midfielder Khuat Van Khang, who played prominently in the U19 and U20 teams; has more experience in international competition and V.League than many of his teammates.

The performances of U22 Vietnam during the training period under the direction of Coach Troussier have not shown the image of a champion. The players showed a lack of experience in competition and lack of cohesion when implementing tactical tactics. In 6 friendly matches and training before the SEA Games, U22 Vietnam lost 5 and only won 1 match (Hoa Binh Club with a score of 2-1). The most worrying thing is the "silence" of the players on the attack line, when they have not scored any goals from the coordination. At the Doha Cup 2023, U22 Vietnam conceded 7 goals and did not score any goals after 3 losses. In the 2 training matches in Ba Ria - Vung Tau, U22 Vietnam scored 2 goals in a 2-3 loss to Ho Chi Minh City Club. In the remaining match, U22 Vietnam lost to the first division club Ba Ria - Vung Tau 0-1.

Therefore, coach Philippe Troussier has tried to train the finishing skills of the U22 Vietnam players in training sessions since arriving in Cambodia. Hopefully, the weaknesses in coordination and scoring of the U22 Vietnam players will be improved in the first match against Laos.

Under the guidance of coach Michael Weiss, U22 Laos has made careful preparations for the 32nd SEA Games. The team from the Land of a Million Elephants does not want to be a "pavement" for the remaining opponents in Group B. Mr. Weiss has brought 25 U22 players to Cambodia, including 3 young players playing for clubs in France, Germany and the US. They are Theo Klein - a midfielder born in 2001 playing for Omaha Mavericks (USA), Roman Angot - a midfielder born in 2001 for Bahlinger SC (Germany's 4th division) and Victor Ngovinassack - an attacking midfielder for Montceau (French 4th division). In addition, striker Peter Panthavong, who is playing for Esra Club in the Lao national championship, is a formidable face in attack. Most of the Lao team participating in this year's SEA Games have competed together for a long time at the U17, U19 and U22 levels and participated in the 31st SEA Games in Vietnam last year.

Lao players often play with great determination and are somewhat impatient right from the start of the match. Therefore, they easily lose strength and stamina, leading to quick defeats against Vietnamese teams. If they overcome this, U22 Laos will cause difficulties for Coach Troussier and his team. However, if U22 Vietnam players score the first goal in the first half, they will be more confident and will not give U22 Laos a chance.

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