U23 Vietnam faces a huge challenge

Vietnam U23 is on the threshold of history at the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship, with a perfect record from the group stage to the semi-finals. Under the guidance of coach Kim Sang-sik, the young team has not only impressed with its flexible playing style but also demonstrated a commendable fighting spirit. However, the final match against host U23 Indonesia at 8:00 p.m. on July 29 at the "fire pan" of Bung Karno will be the biggest challenge for Mr. Kim and his team.

Right from the first matches, Coach Kim Sang-sik created a new “face” for U23 Vietnam. The Korean coach boldly changed the formation and personnel to adapt to each opponent.

While the attack line has not achieved the expected scoring efficiency, the players in the back line have continuously shined, helping the team maintain a winning streak. The reasonable tactical arrangement and timely adjustments at each moment show the sharpness in Mr. Kim's military thinking.

However, the problem of the attack is still an urgent issue that needs to be solved if U23 Vietnam wants to lift the trophy. The ability to finish is still limited, especially against a tightly organized defense like Indonesia. Fortunately, the coaching staff has always proven to be proactive and decisive in turning the game around, creating strong confidence for the fans.

U23 Vietnam is full of confidence before the G hour.

U23 Vietnam fell into Group B with U23 Laos and U23 Cambodia - opponents that were rated lower, making it easier for the team to calculate tactics and rotate forces. In the semi-finals, U23 Philippines - essentially just a team of many student players - was not strong enough to put pressure. The somewhat lenient match schedule helped U23 Vietnam "warm up" gradually, gradually strengthening their confidence before the biggest match of the tournament.

More importantly, coach Kim Sang-sik currently has a nearly optimal squad for the final, with a healthy squad and high spirits.

U23 Indonesia has a squad of quality players, but also has many problems. The ability to take advantage of opportunities is not effective, the defense sometimes reveals gaps when the opponent changes state quickly - a weakness that was exploited by U23 Thailand in the semi-finals.

However, the biggest challenge for U23 Vietnam is not only in terms of expertise. Bung Karno Stadium with more than 80,000 spectators is always a harsh "test" for every visiting team. The enthusiastic cheers and pressure from the stands will force the young Vietnamese players to maintain their composure and avoid being caught up in the fierce and somewhat harsh playing style of the home team.

The final match on the evening of July 29 is not only a competition for the championship, but also a "comprehensive test" before U23 Vietnam aims for bigger playgrounds such as the U23 Asia qualifiers and the 2025 SEA Games. If they overcome the pressure of playing away and maintain stable performance, coach Kim Sang-sik and his team can completely dream of a victory right on Indonesian soil.

Source: https://znews.vn/u23-viet-nam-truoc-thu-thach-cuc-dai-post1572240.html