Goalkeeper Patrik Le Giang: Euro no longer has weak teams

Goalkeeper Patrik Le Giang in the shirt of Ho Chi Minh City Club in V-League 2023-2024 - Photo: NK

Slovakia was eliminated from the group stage of Euro 2020. But in Euro 2024, Slovakia won the right to enter the round of 16 similar to Euro 2016.

That achievement made Vietnamese-American goalkeeper Patrik Le Giang happy when watching and cheering for his hometown team from Ho Chi Minh City.

Below is the article he sent to Tuoi Tre Online, sharing about Slovakia's success and Euro 2024:

I spent time watching and cheering for all 3 matches of the Slovakian team in the Euro 2024 group stage, each match was a different emotion.

I regretted when Slovakia took the lead against Ukraine and then lost, but in return there were two times of extreme happiness when the team beat Belgium 1-0 and drew with Romania in the final round to win the ticket to the next round.

Although I believed in Slovakia's ability to go through, the official result still brought me indescribable happiness. I am very happy that Slovakia has reached the round of 16. This is an important milestone for me and the Slovak people.

After the match in Vietnam, it was 1am so I went to sleep right away. But the whole of Slovakia was celebrating, and of course my mother (Slovak - PV) was no exception.

Goalkeeper Martin Dubravka in the 1-2 loss to Ukraine - Photo: AP

I played for Slovakia at U19 and U21 level. Many of the current players in the Slovakian national team are my former teammates. But the closest one is the goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.

Before the decisive match against Romania, I texted him to encourage him. And after the final whistle, I texted Martin Dubravka to congratulate him.

Slovakia's victory over Belgium, or the rise of other small teams against the big teams at Euro 2024, shows one thing: at Euro, there are basically no more weak opponents.

Some teams are highly rated by FIFA rankings, but that does not determine the results on the field. Like in Slovakia's Group E, no one thought that the ticket to the next round would be decided only in the last match.

The rise of Georgia, Austria, Slovakia and Slovenia at Euro 2024 shows that you can no longer underestimate any team. Nowadays, even small nations are showing that they can compete with the big names.

That is also something that Vietnamese football can learn from Euro 2024. The rise of small teams can be a great motivation and inspiration for the Vietnamese national team. It is about mentality and football thinking.

Slovakia is competing successfully at Euro 2024 - Photo: GETTY IMAGES

Vietnamese football is developing, and we can get good results against stronger opponents if we have the right tactics.

Another factor is that Euro 2024 has seen a lot of goals scored in extra time, before half-time or at the end of the match. That's when most players lose focus.

Maybe they were not consistent in fighting, fatigue certainly played a role. Therefore, psychology plays a very big role. The Vietnamese team also often loses in extra time, that is something we have to look at and learn from.

Slovakia will meet strong opponent England in the round of 16 at 11pm on June 30. At that time, I and Ho Chi Minh City Club will also finish the last match of V-League 2023-2024 with host Khanh Hoa.

I'm really looking forward to this game. England are a big name but I think at the moment there's no doubting the quality and strength of Slovakia. England are definitely the favourites but Slovakia could surprise again.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/thu-mon-patrik-le-giang-euro-khong-con-doi-bong-yeu-20240628091016302.htm