Although Thailand is the host and won all three matches to reach the semi-finals, coach Issara Sritaro still considers Vietnam the number one candidate for the 2023 Southeast Asian U23 championship.
Coach Issara in the match where Thailand defeated Cambodia 2-0 at PTT Rayong Stadium on August 21. Photo: Lam Thoa
"Vietnam is the strongest team in this year's tournament," Mr. Issara told VnExpress on the evening of August 21. "They won the previous tournament, and can also play very well in this year's tournament. The Thai coaching staff will carefully consider every detail to find a suitable countermeasure if they meet Vietnam. Let's wait and see what happens on the field."
Coach Issara once led the U22 Thailand team to the final of the 32nd SEA Games, drawing 2-2 with Indonesia but losing 2-5 in extra time, with an incident of fighting with the opponent. He was then assigned by the Football Association of Thailand to lead the U23 team to compete in the U23 Southeast Asia - a tournament where the Thai team lost to Vietnam in the final a year ago.
At home, Thailand showed their superior strength when they consecutively defeated Myanmar, Brunei and Cambodia, winning all 9 points, scoring eight goals and keeping a clean sheet, topping Group A when entering the semi-finals. Thailand's next opponent will be the runner-up with the best record among the runners-up in the three groups. That could be Indonesia, or Vietnam if coach Hoang Anh Tuan's team loses to the Philippines by no more than three goals in the final match of Group C today, August 22.
"At this time we do not know exactly whether we will meet Indonesia or Vietnam, we cannot make any judgments about which opponent is more difficult to play. But in football, to win the championship, we must defeat the strongest opponent," Mr. Issara added.
Thailand defeated Cambodia with two own goals, winning the right to enter the semi-finals as the top position of Group A. Photo: Lam Thoa
Coach Issara once led the Thai U19 team and lost to Vietnam in 2019. He said that most of the U19 players that year played for the current U23 team, so he is familiar with both Thai and Vietnamese players. When asked which player on the Vietnamese side impressed him the most, Mr. Issara smiled and said: "There are too many players, so I can't remember their names. I'm sorry."
Coach Issara and his assistants are expected to go to Rayong Stadium to watch the Vietnam-Philippines match today, August 22.
In the opening match of Group C, Vietnam beat Laos 4-1. If they do not lose in the second round, they will enter the semi-finals as Group C winners, facing Group B winners Malaysia. In case they lose by no more than three goals, Vietnam will still qualify as the best second place in the three groups, facing Thailand in the semi-finals.
Lam Thoa (from Rayong)
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