Group A is witnessing fierce competition between four teams: Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Jordan, and Kyrgyzstan. Jordan pulled off a surprise 3-2 victory against Saudi Arabia, making the host nation's task even more difficult. To qualify for the next round, they need to redouble their efforts and win their remaining match against Vietnam U23.
Not only do U23 Saudi Arabia need to win, but they also need to create a difference of at least 2 goals with Vietnam (if they win 2-0, Vietnam and Saudi Arabia advance; if they win 3-0 or more, Saudi Arabia and Jordan advance). But before thinking about scoring, the home team needs to focus on breaking down dangerous set pieces from U23 Vietnam.
According to Arab media reports, in a recent training session, the Saudi Arabia U23 coaching staff had the players practice set pieces. “After the match against Jordan, the Saudi Arabia U23 team began preparing for the match against Vietnam U23. The players who started against Jordan did light recovery exercises to reduce fatigue and speed up the recovery process.”
Saudi Arabia will place a greater emphasis on set pieces.
Meanwhile, the rest of the team began with high-intensity physical training exercises, followed by tactical drills. The training session concluded with a focus on set pieces, given their crucial importance in a match,” wrote Khaleeji News.
According to sources close to the team, coach Di Biagio is analyzing Vietnam's performance to identify their strengths and weaknesses. The team's goal is to exploit those weaknesses and minimize the threat they pose in the upcoming match. The encounter with Vietnam is seen as a real test for the Saudi Arabia U23 team.
Coach Di Biagio is relying on a balanced game plan, combining solid defense and quick attacks, aiming for victory against Vietnam. He is also paying special attention to the mental and psychological aspects of the players to help them overcome any pressure.”
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The home team's caution regarding Vietnam's set-piece tactics is not surprising. Coach Kim Sang Sik's team is executing these types of attacks very well. All four of Vietnam's goals so far in the tournament have come from set pieces. Two penalty goals also originated from corner kicks (crosses into the box and fouls committed by opposing defenders), while the other two were also initiated from corner kicks.
Officials at the General Directorate of Sports are closely monitoring the tournament and emphasizing the importance of supporting the Saudi Arabian national team, providing everything necessary for them to win. They are also committed to maintaining regular contact with the coaching staff and players to ensure an ideal environment for preparation and training. The team's preparation process is being directly overseen by the Chairman of the Supervisory Board.
Today's training session is expected to have a limited media presence, with filming and reporting only permitted for the first 15 minutes. This measure is due to the coaching staff's desire to maintain the players' focus and avoid any distractions before the crucial match. This is a common tactic in national team training sessions before decisive matches.
The Saudi Arabia national team is preparing to face Vietnam with a diverse squad, combining experience and youth.
Source: https://tienphong.vn/u23-saudi-arabia-phai-tap-chong-bong-chet-de-han-che-nguon-song-cua-u23-viet-nam-post1812098.tpo
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