Expert Doan Minh Xuong: 'U22 Vietnam wins but only satisfied with the points'

04/12/2025 14:05:00 FieldFrenzy

The U22 Vietnam team overcame pressure to earn 3 points against a familiar rival to keep their "good fortune" alive at SEA Games 33 in Thailand. This all serves to open up positive signals for the journey toward the goal of winning the SEA Games 33 gold medal.

Expert Doan Minh Xuong notes that although they secured victory in their first match, it is difficult to claim that U22 Vietnam’s performance was satisfying: "It can be seen that the players still lack dynamism in their style. We played a pressing attack, but the attacking system was not very coordinated or balanced. In the forward line, while Dinh Bac is performing well, Thanh Nhan and Quoc Viet have not lived up to expectations.

It is easy to notice that in most matches, despite having more possession time, U22 Vietnam players have not created a clear difference in their style or produced standout moments. U22 Vietnam has yet to play smoothly and variably in short passing combinations and appears impatient in final touches.

Expert Doan Minh Xuong

Finishing remains a weakness, as it has long been considered an inherent flaw in Vietnamese football. The attacks lack creativity, making it easy for opponents to anticipate, and when chances arise, the forwards waste too many opportunities. The difficulty in ball deployment shows that U22 Vietnam is still struggling to solve the creativity problem in midfield.

Moreover, U22 Vietnam often gets stuck when facing opponents who play deep defensive blocks; players tend to become hasty in crucial moments, leading to ineffective final actions. This lack of composure causes them to waste created chances."

Expert Doan Minh Xuong observes: "Clearly, the finishing issue has become the biggest challenge for U22 Vietnam and raises questions about their adaptability when facing higher-level opponents.

If improvements are not made quickly, we will face difficulties against tougher teams like Thailand and Indonesia. Furthermore, knockout matches will come with much higher pressure and intensity.

U22 Vietnam has gained confidence with a solid "steel" defense consisting of Trung Kien, Hieu Minh, Nhat Minh, and Ly Duc. Building on this foundation, the midfield must control the game, contribute to attacks, and increase their ability to create breakthroughs.

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