Yemen U23 set a counter-attack trap against Vietnam U23.

Group C of the 2024 AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers includes four teams: Vietnam U23 (hosts), Yemen U23, Guam U23, and Singapore U23. Guam U23 and Singapore U23 are considered weak teams due to their lack of experience at the continental level. Therefore, the biggest obstacle for Vietnam U23 in securing first place in the group is Yemen U23.

The team from West Asia makes no secret of its ambition to finish first in the group, thereby securing a direct ticket to the 2024 U23 Asian Championship finals. They don't want to rely on being among the top four second-placed teams in the 11 groups to advance.

The Yemen U23 team is a dangerous opponent for the Vietnam U23 team.

In preparation for Group C of the 2024 AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers, the Yemen U23 team has organized high-quality training camps abroad. The strength and ambition of the Yemen U23 team were also partly demonstrated in their 3-0 victory against Singapore U23.

In this match, the defensive counter-attacking tactics of the Yemen U23 team proved effective. They relied on the speed and physicality of "running machines" like Hussein Sadam and Hamzah Hanash. Ahmed Maher can be considered the key player in the Yemen U23 team's style of play.

Every attacking move by the Yemen U23 team goes through this attacking midfielder wearing the number 10 jersey. Besides numerous accurate passes into the penalty area for his teammates, Maher's movement, positioning, finishing, and acceleration are enough to make him a dangerous "spark".

Two of Yemen U23's three goals against Singapore U23 came from different finishing scenarios executed by the player wearing the number 10 jersey. Having succeeded with their tactics against Singapore U23, Yemen U23 naturally want to apply a counter-attacking strategy against Vietnam U23. Coach Philippe Troussier's team won 6-0 against the weaker opponent, Guam U23.

The Vietnamese U23 team demonstrated their ability to control the game and launch relentless attacks from both flanks against Guam U23. However, this also created numerous gaps behind the full-backs and in the center of the field.

The Vietnam U23 team cannot afford to be complacent.

If U23 Yemen exploits that gap, U23 Vietnam could face particularly dangerous counter-attacks from their opponents. The loss to U23 Indonesia in the semi-finals of the 2023 SEA Games remains a costly lesson, one that Coach Troussier and many U23 Vietnam players surely haven't forgotten.

The players are keeping their feet on the ground, not being complacent against U23 Yemen. Striker Nguyen Thanh Nhan said: " We didn't perform well in the first half against U23 Guam. The whole team lacked cohesion. In my opinion, U23 Vietnam must try much harder in the match against U23 Yemen. They are the most notable and dangerous opponent in this group ."

Maintaining composure, controlling possession, and making the most of every opportunity are key strategies for the Vietnam U23 team to avoid falling into traps or being drawn into Yemen U23's fast-paced game. Only then will the chance of winning, and thus getting very close to securing a ticket to the AFC U23 Asian Championship for the fifth consecutive time, become a reality.

Han Phong

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