Must recalculate the plan
Coach Kim Sang-sik has announced the list of 28 players preparing for the final training session before the 33rd SEA Games.
Through professional training sessions since the beginning of the year, the Korean strategist has soon chosen a stable framework for U22 Vietnam. Many names were even planned for the key force 8 months ago.
However, the last-minute absence of captain Nguyen Van Truong significantly affected Mr. Kim's long-term calculations. This player was a mainstay in the playing style that U22 Vietnam built from the CFA Team China tournament (March), the U23 Southeast Asian Cup finals (July), the U23 Asian qualifiers (August) or most recently the Panda Cup 2025 (November).
Accordingly, Nguyen Duc Viet, Nguyen Le Phat, Nguyen Thai Quoc Cuong or overseas Vietnamese midfielder Tran Thanh Trung are the options chosen to fill Van Truong's position.
In theory, they can replace the central midfield role left by the captain. However, in reality, Van Truong's influence is something that all 4 faces above can hardly replace in an early hour.
Remember, Van Truong is the type of midfielder who can both recover the ball and be ready to attack U22 Vietnam. A good physical foundation allowed him to move many important areas on the pitch throughout the 90 minutes of play.
Meanwhile, Duc Viet is a pure midfielder in defense, Le Phat or Quoc Cuong are only strong in attacking ability. The person with good passing ability, Thanh Trung, has problems with his strength and physical foundation. Of course, during a week of training before leaving for Thailand, Mr. Kim Sang-sik will have to solve the problem of bottlenecks in the central midfield area.
In addition, Dinh Bac and Minh Phuc have not been able to join the team due to being busy competing with the Hanoi Police team. They are also waiting for the Korean coach to resolve their replacement options.
Unpredictable opponent
At this time, the U22 Vietnam coaching staff is also analyzing the opponents competing for the 33rd SEA Games gold medal.
Malaysia will be the first block that U22 Vietnam needs to overcome. Malaysia U22 coach Nafuzi Zain announced that he will eliminate Vietnam U22 right from the group stage, thereby aiming for the knockout matches before winning the gold medal at the Games.
They have announced a list of 25 players focusing on the tournament, including overseas Vietnamese striker Ferguson Tierney. This is a familiar name that has participated in many Southeast Asian tournaments at different levels.
In addition to Malaysia, U22 Vietnam will also have to face two more difficult opponents, host U22 Thailand and defending champion U22 Indonesia.
Mr. Erick Thohir - President of the Indonesian Football Federation personally contacted foreign clubs with the aim of bringing the stars to compete in the 33rd SEA Games. If 3 players playing in the Dutch national championship, including Ivar henner (Utrecht), Mauro Zijlstra ( volendam), Dion Markx (NEC), are allowed to return to Southeast Asia, the strength of U22 Indonesia will increase significantly.
"We will call the best people to aim to protect the SEA Games gold medal. That is what Indonesian fans are looking forward to," coach Indra Sjafri emphasized.
For host U22 Thailand, they cannot call up the striker playing in England, Soonsup-Bell, because Grimsby Town club refused to release him. However, coach Damrong Ongtrakul still has many promising "powers" such as Sirapop Wandee (Chonburi FC), Chawalwit Saelao (Pram Bangkok FC), Thanawut Phochai (PT Prachuap FC) or Chinngoen Phutonyong (singha Chiang Rai United) ...
In addition, Yotsakon Burapha - a young talent of football in the land of the Golden Temple is also highly appreciated before the 33rd SEA Games. This player has also been given the opportunity to develop her expertise at the national team level in the recent period.
The last time U22 Thailand won the SEA Games gold medal was 8 years ago. The desire to reclaim glory and the advantage of playing at home will be the motivation for this team to be determined to overcome Vietnam, Indonesia or Malaysia.
Madam Pang - President of the Football Association of Thailand also announced that he would win all 4 gold medals in football. Of course, U22 Thailand is confident in taking on the task of winning the men's football championship.
