Striker Minh Quang (left) performed relatively well when given the starting role in the match against U23 Uzbekistan – Photo: AFC
Saying so because according to the goal set by coach Hoang Anh Tuan before the match, this is a match that creates a feeling of competition for the reserve personnel and preserves the best force for the quarter-finals.
Therefore, U23 Vietnam had a test for eight reserve personnel including goalkeeper Nguyen Van Viet, midfielder Tran Quang Thinh, defenders Hoang Van Toan, Nguyen Hong Phuc, midfielders Nguyen Duc Viet, Nguyen Duc Phu and Striker Nguyen Minh Quang.
Among the eight players mentioned above, the two positions of left back Hoang Van Toan and midfielder Tran Quang Thinh have not shown certainty and compatibility with the defense system. These are also the positions that Uzbekistan U23 actively exploited and scored three goals.
But looking at it positively, the reserve players had a useful match from which they gained experience and caught up with the pace of play with the whole team.
The fact that Uzbekistan U23 entered the game with a determined winning spirit was also an effective test for coach Hoang Anh Tuan and his team before meeting Iraq U23 in the quarterfinals. Let’s look back at Iraq U23’s 0-2 loss to Thailand U23 in the group stage.
In this match, U23 Iraq entered the match with a strong pressing style. Even though the team was high, they left a lot of space in front of the goal. This creates conditions for Thai U23 players to exploit situations of quickly switching from defense to attack to score goals.
Rated weaker, U23 Vietnam will also choose the same playing style as U23 Thailand. Especially when coach Hoang Anh Tuan has affirmed many times that the main playing method is tight defense, being ready for situations where the situation can be quickly changed upwards to create opportunities to score.
In fact, when being pressured by U23 Uzbekistan, Vietnam’s U23 attack also did quite well in quick attacks. This is the basis to expect a good result for U23 Vietnam in the quarterfinals.
Up to now, in addition to Quoc Viet’s physical health due to a virus fever right before the tournament and Dinh Bac’s injury, the remaining strikers of U23 Vietnam such as Vo Nguyen Hoang, Van Tung, Minh Quang , Bui Vi Hao are all in a “hot” state.
This is a positive sign for U23 Vietnam before the match against Iraq in the quarterfinals.
