The 2024 U19 ASEAN Championship officially kicks off today, July 17, in Surabaya, Indonesia. The tournament will feature 12 national U19 teams from member countries of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF), all competing for the prestigious title.
Tournament Structure and Groups
The participating teams are divided into three groups:
- Group A: Indonesia, Timor Leste, Cambodia, Philippines
- Group B: Vietnam, Australia, Laos, Myanmar
- Group C: Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei
The top four teams advancing to the semifinals will include the winners of each group (A, B, and C) and the best-performing second-place team across all groups. This format is identical to the recently concluded U16 ASEAN Championship, ensuring a highly competitive environment right from the group stage.
Opening Matches
The tournament’s opening day will feature two matches:
- Timor Leste vs. Cambodia at 15:00
- Indonesia vs. Philippines at 19:30
Vietnam’s Journey
The U19 Vietnam team, under the guidance of head coach Hua Hien Vinh, is in Group B alongside Australia, Laos, and Myanmar. The team is set to begin its campaign with a match against U19 Myanmar at 19:30 on July 18.
Coach Hua Hien Vinh’s Insights
Speaking about the preparation for the tournament, coach Hua Hien Vinh expressed confidence in his team’s readiness. “U19 Vietnam has had three quality friendly matches in China and two recent practice games. The players are in good form and ready for the upcoming challenges. They have understood the playing style we have set. Of course, there are still areas that need improvement, which we have been focusing on in our recent training sessions,” he said.
Addressing the hot weather in Indonesia, Coach Vinh stated, “The only team with a real advantage is the host. U19 Vietnam must adapt to these conditions. We have been training in Ho Chi Minh City to help the players get used to similar weather. I can say that they are gradually adjusting to the playing schedule.”
Tournament Goals
The coach also emphasized the importance of being cautious with VAR, a technology that will be used in the tournament. “We have been preparing for this and have reminded the players about it. Recently, we had the players review VAR incidents from EURO 2024 to understand that they should not stop playing until the referee’s whistle is blown. When we arrive in Indonesia, the organizers will provide a briefing on VAR,” Coach Vinh added.
Challenging Group
Regarding the group stage opponents, Coach Vinh acknowledged the tough competition. “Group B is relatively challenging. U19 Australia, the 2020 champions, did not participate in 2022 but have returned this year and are strong contenders. U19 Laos is also an unknown factor, having finished runners-up two years ago. Overall, the group is very competitive, and U19 Vietnam will need to put in a great effort,” he concluded.
The U19 ASEAN Championship 2024 promises intense and exciting matches as teams battle for supremacy in the region. Fans and spectators can look forward to thrilling football action over the coming weeks.
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