Entering the final of the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship with an all-win record, the Vietnam U23 team has a great chance of winning the tournament for the third time.
Improve finishing ability
Despite winning all, the statistics of the U23 Vietnam team's goal-scoring efficiency in the 3 matches played are not high. Except for the opening match, the attacking ability of coach Kim Sang-sik's team only really showed its ability near the end of the first half. The defending champion even conceded the first goal in the semi-final match against U23 Philippines.
Against teams that were considered weaker, U23 Vietnam dominated the ball possession and shot more than their opponents. In each match, Mr. Kim's students fired more than 20 shots but only about 10% were successful. This shows the low scoring efficiency of young Vietnamese strikers. Of the total 7 goals scored, 3 were scored by central defenders.
Coach Kim Sang-sik acknowledged that his players' finishing ability lacked precision, missing many "delicious" opportunities. The Korean strategist said that psychological pressure and lack of international competition experience were the reasons why the U23 Vietnam strikers were not able to maximize their effectiveness.
During the gatherings and competitions under coach Kim Sang-sik, the Vietnamese national team and U23 national team applied the philosophy of proactively controlling the ball and attacking. The Vietnamese players did quite well in high-level pressing, putting pressure on the opponent to gain control of the ball, but the rate of missed shots by the attackers was still quite high. As for U23 Indonesia, the team of thousands of islands possesses many young and strong naturalized players spread across the lines, with physique, physical strength and speed not inferior to U23 Vietnam.
During the two training sessions to prepare for the final match, the U23 Vietnam coaching staff focused on implementing lesson plans to help hone tactical skills, adjust the team's formation and attack and defense coordination plans, and improve the players' finishing skills.
Regarding personnel, the Korean coach also made calculations to choose the optimal squad, ensuring a balance between experience, form and fitness. "We missed many opportunities in the past matches, as did I. In the last two training sessions, the whole team tried to regain the feeling of scoring goals to be ready for the final match" - striker Nguyen Dinh Bac shared.
Some information about U23 Vietnam and U23 Indonesia before the final match of U23 Southeast Asia 2025. (Graphics: VE LOAN)
Indonesia's throw-in solved
Similar to the time of former coach Shin Tae-yong, the Indonesian players continue to maintain and fully utilize their ability to attack from throw-ins straight into the opponent's penalty area. With a good physical foundation and height, the Indonesian U23 players are not only strong in ball control but also create many surprises with this strong throw-in tactic at the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship.
In addition to the home field advantage that helps coach Gerald Vanenburg's team play confidently, the young Indonesian team is also proficient in "air combat", relying on the pressing and jumping skills of naturalized players such as striker Jens Raven, midfielder Victor Dethan, defender Brandon Scheunemann or the domestic central defender duo Kakang Rudianto, Kadek Arel...
However, the playing style of U23 Indonesia can be ruined by U23 Vietnam for two reasons. First, the defending champion is assessed by experts to have one of the best defense systems in this tournament, with 3 impressively tall central defenders, comprehensive offense and defense, and "spider-man" goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien with rich experience in V-League.
Second, the core force of U23 Indonesia is at risk of being depleted due to injuries before the championship match. In particular, it is likely that the main striker Jens Raven, who is leading the list of top scorers with 7 goals in the tournament, will be absent.
Jens Raven was exhausted after the 120-minute semi-final match against Thailand U23. The 19-year-old Dutch-born striker scored the equalizer in the 83rd minute and continued to successfully convert the decisive penalty shootout to help Indonesia U23 win a ticket to the final. Not only is Raven the number one pillar in the starting lineup, but he is also the trigger to launch the home team's attack. His ability to choose a position, strength, speed and "goal-scoring" instinct have helped Raven lead the list of best strikers in this tournament.
In addition, the midfield of U23 Indonesia is also at risk of missing the duo Arkhan Fikri and Toni Firmansyah in the final match. Both midfielders have physical problems and have not been able to return to the training ground after the semi-finals. Fikri stands out with his ability to control the rhythm and organize attacks, while Firmansyah supports the defense and distributes the ball effectively from the second line.
The Southeast Asian Football Federation has decided to use VAR in the final match of the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship. This will ensure fairness, transparency and limit rough tackles from players on the field.
Source: https://nld.com.vn/u23-viet-nam-tran-day-co-hoi-196250728202947953.htm
![[Photo] National Assembly Chairman attends the seminar "Building and operating an international financial center and recommendations for Vietnam"](https://vphoto.vietnam.vn/thumb/1200x675/vietnam/resource/IMAGE/2025/7/28/76393436936e457db31ec84433289f72)
Comment (0)