Coach Okiyama Masahiko said: "Vietnam U20 women's team had a good start in the match against China U20 women's team. You showed determination and sharpness in your playing style.
In the second half, the whole team still made efforts with a high fighting spirit. However, the opponent is China U20 women's team - a team with a very strong foundation, belonging to the top group in Asia. We also made a few mistakes in the first two goals conceded.
According to the Japanese coach, Vietnam U20 women's team has proactively deployed a tight defensive playing style, waiting for counter-attack opportunities and most of the time implementing tactical intentions correctly. "We set a goal to defend solidly before counter-attacking. The team has shown this method quite well. Despite conceding a goal, they did not collapse. The players played disciplinedly and followed the set tactics. China did not beat Vietnam easily. They had many players with cramps," he emphasized.
In the second match of Group A, Vietnam U20 women's team will meet Thailand U20 women's team on April 4. This is a match considered to be of great significance in the competition for second place in the group.
Coach Okiyama Masahiko said that the whole team will prioritize physical recovery, while continuing to maintain a defensive counter-attacking style of play: "In the immediate future, we will recover well to ensure the fitness of the players.
In the match against Thailand, we will still maintain a defensive counter-attacking style, trying to steal the ball from the opponent and organize effective counter-attacks.
Assessing China's U20 women's team, coach Okiyama Masahiko sent congratulations to the opponent and acknowledged the strength of this team: "They are a team with technique, physique and discipline in their playing style. They deserve to be in the top 5 in Asia and are a strong candidate for the championship".
According to the tournament format, the top two teams in each group and the two third-placed teams with the best results will win the right to enter the quarterfinals. This is still the basis for U20 Vietnam women's team to continue to aim for the goal of competing for a place to advance in the final round.
