11:10 p.m.: U23 Vietnam’s starting lineup kept 10/11 positions intact compared to the match against Malaysia. The only change is that striker Bui Vi Hao was used from the beginning of the match instead of Vo Nguyen Hoang.
Pictures before the match:
Pre-match information
U23 Vietnam will face U23 Iraq in the quarter-finals of the 2024 U23 Asian finals. Quan Van Chuan and his teammates are expected to face many difficulties against the West Asian team.
U23 Iraq is considered a candidate for a ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympic men’s soccer tournament in Asia. They brought to the tournament a squad with a series of national players such as midfielder Tasheen, midfielder Muntadher Maslookhi or attacking star Ali Jasim.
Ali Jasim is only 19 years old but has already started for the national team with a playing style that is both beautiful and effective. Meanwhile, Muntadher Maslookhi – 20 years old – possesses skillful technique, physical strength and formidable dispute ability.
However, Iraq’s U23 defense also conceded 5 goals after 3 matches, even though 2 of them were not strong opponents like Thailand and Tajikistan. Most of Iraq’s U23 defensive players play domestically, are still inexperienced and show many moments of lack of concentration.
Coach Hoang Anh Tuan needs to calculate reasonable personnel and tactics to overcome the opponent, while also opening up opportunities for U23 Vietnam.
Thai Son, Minh Khoa, Van Chuan, Duy Cuong, Nguyen Hoang or Van Tung are confident faces playing football regardless of whether the opponent is Kuwait or U23. However, not all teammates can do that. Fear is overwhelming the alertness of some positions on the field.
Only when they can truly get rid of their worries can they play football to their full potential. Against Iraq U23, the confidence and concentration of the defense is more important than anything. The mistakes of Ngoc Thang, Duy Cuong or Thai Son are not allowed to appear in the quarterfinals. If they concede against U23 Iraq, U23 Vietnam has very little chance to correct their mistakes.
U23 Iraq is the first champion of the U23 Asian Championship. They were crowned in 2013 in Oman when they had 6 wins in the tournament. Three years later, they ranked 3rd and won tickets to the 2016 Olympics.
In 3 tournaments in 2018, 2020 and 2022, Iraq U23 all played unsuccessfully. In 2018, they were eliminated by U23 Vietnam in the quarterfinals after an 11m penalty shootout (draw 3-3 after 120 minutes).
In addition, at the Dubai Cup 2022, U23 Vietnam also drew 0-0 with U23 Iraq. Overall, the head-to-head performance is in favor of U23 Vietnam. This brings a big morale boost to coach Hoang Anh Tuan and his team before the important match.
