U23 Vietnam controlled the game and created many chances in the 1-1 draw against U23 Kuwait in the opening match of Group C of ASIAD 2026 men's football. However, the ability to take advantage of opportunities and how to organize attacks against a crowded defense is still an issue raised.
Expert Doan Minh Xuong said that U23 Vietnam chose a suitable strategy when actively attacking to aim for victory. However, the inability to convert the advantage into a goal shows that the team needs to improve finishing efficiency and have more options when the opponent does not actively play offensively.
The deadlock in scoring against U23 Kuwait also shows 2 problems. The first is the efficiency of scoring goals and the efficiency of shooting goals. The second is that U23 Vietnam does not have many attacking options when facing opponents who actively play defensively," Mr. Doan Minh Xuong assessed.
According to this expert, the current playing style of U23 Vietnam with the 3-4-3 formation is more suitable when facing teams that actively push high. At that time, the team can promote counter-attacking defense and take advantage of space behind the opponent's defense.
However, against weaker teams and choosing a defensive playing style, U23 Vietnam needs to make adjustments to increase the ability to impose the game.
U23 Vietnam usually only plays with a defensive counter-attacking strategy based on the 3-4-3 formation. With this playing style, it is suitable to face proactive teams that push high to attack. But when facing weaker teams that proactively defend, I think that Vietnamese football in general and U23 Vietnam in particular need to have more flexibility in their playing style," expert Doan Minh Xuong analyzed.
He believes that U23 Vietnam can consider other tactical options to increase attacking power in necessary times.
So that when facing an opponent playing defensively, U23 Vietnam can switch to playing with a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation to impose their playing style and increase attacking power," said Mr. Doan Minh Xuong.
The draw with U23 Kuwait has prevented U23 Vietnam from having the desired start, but the situation in Group C is still open. According to expert Doan Minh Xuong, the important thing at this time is that the team needs to quickly focus on the next match.
But a draw is okay. The important thing is that U23 Vietnam needs to focus on winning against U23 Philippines on September 18 to enter the quarter-finals," Mr. Doan Minh Xuong emphasized.
After the draw with U23 Kuwait, U23 Vietnam will meet U23 Philippines on September 18. This is a match that coach Dinh Hong Vinh and his team need to aim for victory to create an advantage in the race to win tickets to the quarter-finals of ASIAD 2026.
