The strength of U22 Vietnam
Coach Hoang Anh Tuan said that the U22 Vietnam force participating in the 33rd SEA Games will be thinner than the previous 3 Games. However, Mr. Tuan further analyzed that if we look at the correlation of the strength of the gold medal competitors, U22 Vietnam still has a good force, which is the combination of a number of individuals who have been given the opportunity in the national team with new faces in high form.
Coach Hoang Anh Tuan emphasized: "I believe that based on the inner strength that Mr. Kim Sang-sik is holding in his hands, the ability to compete for the Gold Medal of U22 Vietnam is completely possible".
It must be admitted that U22 Vietnam came to the 33rd SEA Games with an imperfect force when the main midfielder Nguyen Van Truong was injured, overseas Vietnamese striker Tran Thanh Trung was not at his best. Although the attack line is diverse, there is no striker with a stable scoring efficiency. However, from a positive perspective, the "Golden Star Warriors" still have many plus points. Some young faces are regularly playing in the V.League such as Trung Kien, Hieu Minh, Xuan Bac, Van Khang, Thai Son, Viktor Le, Thanh Nhan...
Recently, Dinh Bac and Van Thuan have also created a professional boost in the youth team and club jersey. Meanwhile, Le Van Thuan deserved the title of "Best Young Player of V.League" last season. The midfielder from Thanh Hoa creates a difference in expertise every time he is put on the field.
The power of opponents
Thailand U22, Malaysia U22 and Indonesia U22 will be direct competitors for the 33rd SEA Games Gold Medal with Vietnam U22.
Accordingly, defending champion Indonesia is considered a "rival". Their squad has up to five naturalized Dutch players, including centre-back Dion Markx, midfielder Ivar Jenner and the trio of strikers Rafael Struick, Jens Raven and Mauro Zijlstra. Among them, there are 3 players competing in the Dutch league: Dion Markx (TOP Oss), Ivar Jenner (Utrecht) and Mauro Zijlstra ( volendam). The Indonesian U22 squad also has the participation of star Marselino Ferdinan - currently playing for Trencin club in Slovakia.
The determination to defend the title of U22 Indonesia is clearly shown as they are the first team to be present in Thailand to best prepare for the tournament.
Vice President of the Indonesian Football Federation - Zainudin Amali said: "We are always serious. We know that the President of PSSI and fans all want Indonesian football to develop. That is why we need to achieve good results. Therefore, the whole team wants to be in Thailand early to prepare best.
U22 Malaysia is also a formidable side. Coach Nafuzi Zain announced that he will join his U22 Vietnam students right from the group stage. The force Malaysia chose to participate in the 33rd SEA Games includes "Invalid" striker Ferguson Tierney, who has participated in many Southeast Asian tournaments at different levels.
host Thailand U22 also wants to win the SEA Games Gold Medal after 8 years. This team has called up many quality players from the 2003 generation and later. One of them is Yotsakorn Burapha, the talent that is considered the most promising in Southeast Asia at the moment.
Finally, as the reigning champion of the Southeast Asian Youth Championship, U22 Vietnam is considered the leading candidate for the Gold Medal in men's football at the 33rd SEA Games.
U22 Vietnam will have a match against U22 Laos in the opening match of the 33rd SEA Games men's football tournament, taking place at 4:00 p.m. on December 3.
