Having topped Group A, Vietnam U23 avoided Japan U23, but UAE U23 is also a formidable opponent in the quarter-finals, sir?
Expert Phan Anh Tú: - I believe that all eight teams that reach the quarterfinals of the 2026 AFC U23 Championship are strong. Therefore, we need to recognize that any opponent appearing in the knockout round is not easy, and the chances of advancing are 50/50. The important thing is the form and good tactics of each team.
Compared to their opponent, the UAE U23 team, what advantages does the Vietnam U23 team have?
- For the Vietnam U23 team, our advantage is that we are familiar with facing West Asian teams. The Vietnam U23 team spectacularly defeated two West Asian teams in the group stage. Psychologically, the Vietnamese players have nothing to worry about. When we have a good mentality, we can achieve anything.
Vietnam U23 played confidently against strong opponents. Photo: AFC
And what about our opponent, the UAE, Mr. Phan Anh Tú?
- The UAE U23 team respects the Vietnam U23 team, so they will certainly study us very carefully. Therefore, the quarter-final match will not be easy at all for Coach Kim Sang Sik's team .
After U23 Vietnam defeated U23 Jordan and especially U23 Saudi Arabia, U23 UAE became highly cautious and no longer considered us an ordinary opponent. U23 UAE is very focused on the upcoming match. This is a major challenge for U23 Vietnam.
Compared to the group stage, how should the Vietnam U23 team prepare for the knockout rounds, starting with the quarter-final match against the UAE U23 team?
- I believe the Vietnam U23 team will do their best in the quarter-final match. We are in good form, with a well-established playing style in terms of organization and tactics, allowing us to control the pace of the game and dominate possession.
The Vietnam U23 team has chosen a defensive counter-attacking style of play that suits the players' qualities, and its effectiveness has been proven in recent matches. Coach Kim Sang Sik also has a balanced squad, so substitutions are flexible, reasonable, and create surprises for the opponents.
Coach Kim Sang Sik made some very sensible substitutions. Photo: AFC
In the group stage, the Vietnam U23 team adopted different playing styles against each opponent. And in the quarter-final match, what would be the most effective approach for Coach Kim Sang Sik's team, sir?
- The Vietnam U23 team has good ball control, finds ways to control the game, maintains good formation, and retains possession. In addition, there are outstanding individual players at certain moments or during substitutions.
The problem is that each opponent approaches the Vietnamese U23 team differently. For example, in their opening match of the group stage, the Jordanian U23 team underestimated the strength of the Vietnamese U23 team, leading to their defeat. In the following two matches, the opponents had nothing to lose, so they had to push forward to attack.
Given the opponent's approach, the Vietnam U23 team will also have its own way of playing. As for the UAE U23 team's approach in the quarter-final match, we need to study and strategize.
Another issue that the Vietnam U23 team needs to be aware of is the statistics from the match against Saudi Arabia U23, where the home team had a high ball possession rate and more than 20 shots on goal. We must be very cautious. Goalkeeper Trung Kien may have been outstanding that day, and the opponent's ability to capitalize on opportunities wasn't high, but anything can happen in a quarter-final match.
Is the fact that the Vietnam U23 team has 7 players with yellow cards a cause for concern for coach Kim Sang Sik?
- If we keep worrying, how can we play well? I think the Vietnam U23 team should just relax, play football, defeat the UAE U23 team, and then we'll think about the semi-final match.
Dinh Bac is ready to "tear apart" the UAE U23 team's defense. Photo: AFC
According to him, what factors contributed to Vietnam U23's victory in this match?
- The current Vietnam U23 team excels in ball control and confidence. Even when facing opponents who employ high-pressure tactics, the players maintain control of the game, limiting the opponent's attacking capabilities while simultaneously creating effective counter-attacks. Furthermore, unity and discipline are strong points of the Vietnam U23 team. Teams from West Asia simply cannot match us.
What are your predictions regarding Vietnam U23's chances of advancing?
- Overall, the chances against the UAE U23 team are 50-50. The approach of the UAE U23 team, showing respect for Vietnam U23, is something Vietnam U23 must prepare for. This is a match where coach Kim Sang Sik's team must also consider the possibility of going into extra time or a penalty shootout.
Thank you for the conversation!
Watch the entire 2026 AFC U23 Asian Championship Finals on TV360 athttps://tv360.vn
Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/u23-viet-nam-se-hoa-nguy-thanh-co-hoi-lay-ve-ban-ket-u23-chau-a-2482143.html
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