 |
Goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien catches the ball during Vietnam's victory over Kyrgyzstan in the second group A match of the U23 Asian Cup finals at King Abdullah Sports City Hall, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on 9/1. *Photo: AFC*
*Saudi Arabia - Vietnam: 23h30, monday 12/1, live on VnExpress.*
After two group matches, Vietnam has scored four goals and conceded one, against Kyrgyzstan. While Japan, Iran, and China remain the only teams yet to concede, Chinese website Yuenan, in an article titled 'Vietnam will eliminate Saudi Arabia', nonetheless rated coach Kim Sang-sik's defense as the tournament's strongest.
To date, Saudi Arabia has shown no signs of being a strong team, the article states. There is no guarantee the host can overwhelm Vietnam in this match. Saudi Arabian forwards have demonstrated poor finishing in their last two outings, squandering numerous clear opportunities against Kyrgyzstan. Jordan also easily breached the host's defense. Conversely, Vietnam boasts the tournament's best defense, lauded as perfect by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). Kim's squad is unlikely to concede many goals.
Saudi Arabia has registered 30 shots so far, yielding three goals, an average of 10 shots per goal. Vietnam, with only 22 shots, has scored four times, averaging 5,5 chances for each goal.
Yuenan, a Chinese-language information platform dedicated to Vietnam, predicts a 0-0 first-half score and a 1-1 full-time result. This outcome would mean Saudi Arabia's elimination, provided Jordan avoids defeat against Kyrgyzstan in their simultaneous fixture.
China's leading sports news outlet, Sina Sports, identifies Vietnam's primary strength in its defensive organization and transition play. The report notes that while coach Kim Sang-sik's team may not always dominate possession, it consistently maintains a disciplined formation, effectively limiting opponent space and launching quick counter-attacks.
The outlet also highlighted the psychological aspect, noting that young Vietnamese players consistently exhibit calmness and confidence – a rare attribute among Southeast Asian teams. They remain composed under continental competition pressure, maintaining discipline and focus, the article observed. This composure is likely a result of continuous exposure to domestic and international tournaments, reflecting a clear influence from the coaching staff.
However, in a separate piece, Sina cautioned Vietnam about host midfielder Musab Al-Juwayr, the team's number 10. At 22 years old, Al-Juwayr has already earned 30 national team caps and scored six goals. He was also named the best young player in the Saudi Pro League last season, with statistics firm Transfermarkt valuing him at 4,7 million USD. No other Saudi Arabian player reaches a 1 million USD valuation. In contrast, Vietnam's highest-valued players, forward Nguyen Dinh Bac and midfielder Khuat Van Khang, are each valued at approximately 350.000 USD.
The 163.com website acknowledged that Vietnamese players possess a smaller physique and lower fitness levels than their Saudi Arabian counterparts, yet they possess compensating strengths. Vietnamese football is evolving with a distinct tactical and technical style, prioritizing teamwork and the execution of strategic plans, the site noted. Flexible tactics and rapid counter-attacks could enable Vietnam to spring a surprise.
This site forecasts a 2-1 victory for Saudi Arabia, attributing it to their superior attacking prowess. This score is also favored by international sports outlets, as it would see both Saudi Arabia and Vietnam progress to the quarterfinals. In such a scenario, Vietnam would top the group if Jordan defeats Kyrgyzstan. Conversely, Saudi Arabia would secure first place if Jordan fails to beat Kyrgyzstan.
Following two rounds, Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, and China currently lead their respective groups. However, only Japan has secured a quarterfinal berth and is guaranteed to finish first in group B. Coach Kim's team must also top group A to avoid a potential clash with Japan in the quarterfinals.
*By Hoang An*
