On the afternoon of August 27, U20 Vietnam faced a challenging opponent in Imabari FC during their second friendly match of the training camp in Ehime, Japan. Unlike their first game against the Ehime youth team, Imabari FC is a more experienced squad, playing in Japan’s J-League 3, making them a tougher adversary. This match was a part of U20 Vietnam’s preparation for the upcoming 2025 AFC U20 Asian Cup qualifiers.
The decision to play against a more seasoned team like Imabari FC was a strategic choice by head coach Hua Hien Vinh and his coaching staff. They requested that the Japanese hosts arrange for opponents of increasing difficulty to help the Vietnamese players gradually improve their technical and tactical abilities. This match aimed to provide the young Vietnamese players with valuable experience against stronger, more experienced competition.
In this match against Imabari FC, Coach Vinh decided to experiment with a new starting lineup, continuing his approach of testing different players in various positions. Throughout the game, substitutes were gradually introduced, allowing all players to gain playing time and experience. The main objective for this friendly was not just to win but to assess how well the team could execute their game plan and how individual players adapted to different tactical setups.
Despite the adjustments, U20 Vietnam conceded an early goal in the fifth minute. This quick goal came at a time when the team had not yet found their rhythm and stability, highlighting some defensive vulnerabilities that need to be addressed. After the goal, however, the Vietnamese players managed to demonstrate a better understanding of the tactical instructions from the coaching staff and showed significant improvement over the remainder of the match.
Although the game ended with U20 Vietnam losing 1-0, the experience was invaluable for the players and coaching staff. The match provided critical insights into the team’s current form, areas for improvement, and how players handle real-match scenarios against stronger teams.
Looking ahead, U20 Vietnam has one more friendly match scheduled during this training camp. They will face the Matsuyama University student team on August 30. This final match will provide another opportunity for the coaching staff to fine-tune tactics and assess player readiness. Following the conclusion of their training camp in Japan, the team is set to return to Vietnam on September 1. They will continue their preparation for the 2025 AFC U20 Asian Cup qualifiers, with the aim of building on these experiences to enhance their performance in the competitive matches ahead.
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