Vietnam needs to restore fans' trust by winning against Myanmar in the bronze medal match of men's football at the 32nd SEA Games.
Vietnamese players in the 2-3 loss to Indonesia in the semi-finals of the 32nd SEA Games at the Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on the afternoon of May 13, 2023. Photo: Hieu Luong
*Vietnam - Myanmar: 4pm Tuesday, May 16, on VnExpress.
In the U23 men's football medals, Vietnam won the most silver, then gold and bronze. In the three matches for bronze, the team only won one and lost two. In these two defeats, Vietnam lost 0-5 to Singapore in 2007 and 1-4 to Myanmar in 2011. This shows that Vietnam's performance in the matches for bronze is not good because they often lose motivation to compete.
However, this afternoon's match with Myanmar still has statistical significance for Philippe Troussier and his team. If they win, Vietnam will surpass Malaysia to take second place in the number of medals in men's football at the SEA Games U23 level. At that time, Vietnam will win seven medals (two gold, three silver, two bronze), just behind the team that won nine medals, Thailand.
Of course, the gold medal is still the most important, but the 2-3 defeat to Indonesia in the semi-final has shattered Vietnam's gold medal dream. Coach Trousier's more important goal in the match against Myanmar is to restore the dignity of the team that won the gold medal in the previous two editions. How will he revive the team's spirit and avoid the disastrous defeats in the previous bronze medal matches?
In youth football, it is difficult for teams to guarantee the ability to win consecutive championships, because each generation of players has a different level of expertise. In the history of men's football at the Asian Games, no team has won more than two consecutive championships. At the SEA Games, Thailand was the strongest in the region, but has gradually lost its dominance since teams like Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam invested more systematically in youth football.
Troussier ’s squad is rated the lowest compared to many recent Congresses, based on their experience in the V-League or the national team. For example, Vietnam entered the 32nd SEA Games with only five players who had played 10 or more matches in the V-League. In the previous tournament, the team had nine such players, not counting three overage players.
Vietnam (red shirt) in the 1-0 win over Myanmar at Viet Tri Stadium, Phu Tho in the group stage of SEA Games 31 on May 13, 2022. Photo: Lam Thoa
The team's personnel situation before this afternoon's match is also difficult, as striker Nguyen Quoc Viet is absent, and Nguyen Thanh Nhan is doubtful due to injury. Goalkeeper Quan Van Chuan is having problems with his form, and more importantly, the team's morale is at its lowest after losing in the semi-finals in the last minute despite having more players.
Coach Troussier will most likely use the second team as in the match against Thailand, with goalkeeper Doan Huy Hoang, midfielder Dinh Xuan Tien, Le Quoc Nhat Nam, Khuat Van Khang, Nguyen Van Truong or Huynh Cong Den. This group of players rarely have the opportunity to play, or are mainly substitutes. Therefore, their determination to contribute may be higher than that of their other teammates.
Myanmar's spirit is different, as defeat against Thailand in the semi-finals was inevitable given the difference in skill level between the two teams. Therefore, Michael Feichtenbeiner's team is not too disappointed, and will be determined to defeat Vietnam to win the bronze medal. The goal of winning a medal with Myanmar was already a success, before the Games took place, because Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia were all rated higher than them.
Myanmar has won 60% of the bronze medal matches in the history of the SEA Games since 2001, including a big win over Vietnam 12 years ago. If Vietnam does not enter the competition with the highest spirit, a similar result could happen again.
Vnexpress.net
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