U23 Vietnam comfortable on the training ground, ready to play Malaysia

U23 Vietnam has carefully prepared professionally and mentally before the semi-final match against U23 Malaysia at the 2023 Southeast Asian U23 tournament.

One day after the victory over the Philippines, on the evening of August 23, the U23 Vietnam team returned to the training ground to prepare for the match against U23 Malaysia in the semi-finals of the 2023 Southeast Asian U23 tournament. With a match density of two days per day, the players only exercised moderately, mainly to reduce fatigue and keep their spirits up.

U23 Vietnam players warm up before training session. Photo: HAI HOANG

Due to the high competition density, coach Hoang Anh Tuan mainly let his players do light and relaxing exercises. Photo: HAI HOANG

In an interview before the training session, midfielder Khuat Van Khang said that the whole team is very excited and ready for the semi-final match against U23 Malaysia. Khuat Van Khang commented that U23 Malaysia is a familiar opponent. The teams that have qualified for the semi-finals are all strong and worthy, and certainly each team will prepare the best for the match. The midfielder of U23 Vietnam shared: "Tomorrow the team will have another meeting to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the opponent and perfect the playing style towards the goal of victory."

Midfielder Khuat Van Khang answers an interview. Photo: HAI HOANG

Van Truong is currently the center of attention in U23 Vietnam. The 20-year-old midfielder had a situation of retaliation, playing dirty with his opponent in the victory over the Philippines, making coach Hoang Anh Tuan unhappy. The strategist from Khanh Hoa said that this is a lesson not only for Van Truong but also for all U23 Vietnam players. However, this coach also affirmed that he and his students have forgotten the match against U23 Philippines, focusing on the decisive match with Malaysia in the semi-finals.

The players are highly focused during the training session. Photo: HAI HOANG

In the training session on the evening of August 23, all options regarding playing style and personnel were carefully prepared by coach Hoang Anh Tuan, including the penalty shootout exercise. In the semi-final match against U23 Malaysia, the possibility of the two teams having to settle the score on the 11m mark is not small.

The U23 Vietnam players are considered to have more international experience than their opponents. But all must show their best abilities in a match that is predicted to be very tense.

The semi-final match between U23 Vietnam and U23 Malaysia will take place at 4pm on August 24. The other semi-final match between U23 Thailand and U23 Indonesia will take place at 8pm on the same day.

As usual, the training sessions of U23 Vietnam always ensure high level of expertise. Photo: HAI HOANG

Coach Hoang Anh Tuan continues to give instructions to the players and closely monitor the training session. Photo: HAI HOANG

Players practice shooting. Photo: HAI HOANG

It is possible that the match between U23 Vietnam and U23 Malaysia will have to be decided by a penalty shootout, so the players are trained to shoot at goal.