U22 Vietnam meets U22 Indonesia in the semi-finals
A disadvantage beginning with a concede goal in the 3rd minute after the defender’s mistake, but the more U22 Vietnam played, the more they appeared to dominate before U22 Thailand. However, the players of coach Philippe Troussier had to share points with the team when they only successfully took advantage of one of the many opportunities created.
12/05/2023 10:41:25
Coach Philippe Troussier has made 8 changes in the starting lineup compared to the previous match. Accordingly, U22 Vietnam only retains midfielder Quang Thinh, right winger Van Cuong and striker Van Do.
Unfortunately, right after the game started, the error in the defense system happened again. During a sprint to race against U22 Thailand long serve, defender Duy Cuong slipped and fell, creating an opportunity for Achipol to easily defeat goalkeeper Huy Hoang. The early goal helped U22 Thailand play very comfortably. The team of coach Ithsara Sritharo actively played slowly in the home field, creating opportunities for U22 Vietnam to control the ball better.
It can be seen that coach Philippe Troussier’s team often use the ball along the sideline with the mobility of two wingers Van Khang and Quoc Cuong, or long kicks to find equalizer opportunities against U22 Thai Lan. This style of play, although not creating great pressure on the opponent’s 16m50 area, still gives U22 Vietnam opportunities to convert into goals. Typically, from Ngoc Thang’s cross-court ball in the 18th minute, Van Khang escaped to head down an empty header right before the reach of U22 Thailand’s goalkeeper, but the ball went out and missed a chance to score a goal.
The adjustments at the half-time break helped U22 Vietnam, when Philippe Troussier’s team continuously put pressure on the opponent’s field. Realizing the deviation in the way of playing, U22 Thailand continuously changed people. But when these adjustments did not work, the Thailand team had to go into the net to pick up the ball. Goalkeeper Thirawooth pushed the ball after U22 Vietnam’s free kick created a messy situation in the penalty area, Nhat Nam took advantage of this opportunity to hit a direct shot to score a 1-1 equalizer at the 54th minute.
The goal is like a catalyst for U22 Vietnam to play more determinedly. U22 Thailand continued to launch key players into the field to strengthen the squad, while coach Philippe Troussier also used more main players to improve the strength in attack. U22 Vietnam continues to take the initiative. Speedy shots from the wings and slaps from the middle created great pressure on U22 Thailand’s goal.
Unfortunately, the strikers of U22 Vietnam could not convert into goals. Typically, in the 81st minute, when Thanh Nhan escaped to the left and then passed a very empty cross, unfortunately Van Khang could not touch the ball in the approach to U22 Thailand. Or, 1 minute later, Thai Son had a comfortable cross-angle shot but couldn’t beat goalkeeper Thirawooth…
In the end, U22 Vietnam and U22 Thailand drew with a score of 1-1. Thus, U22 Vietnam is runner-up in Group B and will meet U22 Indonesia, while U22 Thailand is winner in Group B and will meet U22 Myanmar in two semi-finals.
