For the first time in history, Vietnam has won two matches at a single AFC U23 Championship, excluding penalty shootout results. Even during the 2018 final under Coach Park Hang-seo, the team only managed a single victory against Australia. This time, Coach Hoang Anh Tuan and his players have had a dream start with two wins over Kuwait and Malaysia, both by a two-goal margin. If Kuwait does not beat Uzbekistan in today’s later match, Vietnam will advance to the quarterfinals one round early.
In their second match at the U23 Asian Cup 2024, U23 Vietnam displayed a proactive approach against U23 Malaysia but faced difficulties in breaking down the tight defensive play of their opponents. Despite the initial challenges, the team managed to find their breakthrough from a stunning free-kick by Van Khang in the 39th minute, which proved to be the only goal of the first half.
In the second half, Coach Hoang Anh Tuan made strategic substitutions, one of which saw Vi Hao entering the pitch. His immediate impact led to a penalty for U23 Vietnam, which Minh Khoa successfully converted in the 60th minute, doubling their lead to 2-0.
https://twitter.com/afcasiancup/status/1781702725685629165
Throughout the remainder of the match, U23 Malaysia made earnest attempts to reduce the deficit but struggled to find the back of the net. The disciplined defense and strategic play from U23 Vietnam ensured they maintained their lead until the final whistle, securing a 2-0 victory.
This crucial win places U23 Vietnam temporarily at the top of Group D with 6 points, putting them in a strong position to advance early to the knockout stages, contingent on the outcome of the match between U23 Uzbekistan and U23 Kuwait.
The tactical adjustments and the effectiveness of the substitutions made by Coach Hoang Anh Tuan were instrumental in overcoming the tactical challenges posed by U23 Malaysia. The victory not only boosts the morale of U23 Vietnam but also solidifies their standing as strong contenders in the tournament, reflecting a mature and calculated approach to securing their objectives in this critical stage of the competition.
Leave a Reply