Coach Hoang Anh Tuan: 'ASIAD 19 is a proving ground for Vietnamese football'

At ASIAD 18, Olympic Vietnam won fourth place but used the best players in the U23 group and three over-age players who are stars like Nguyen Van Quyet, Nguyen Anh Duc and Do Hung Dung.

By this time, 18 of the 22 players officially participating in the tournament belong to the U20 group, the only over-age player is goalkeeper Do Sy Huy born in 1988. Coach Hoang Anh Tuan explained before the morning training session on September 15: "The goal , VFF's orientation is that tournaments like U23 Southeast Asia and ASIAD are places to develop and perfect players. Everyone wants achievements, but the core is the ability to execute the game, the improvement to see the ball. Where are Vietnamese stones located in Asia?

ASIAD 19 was held a year later than planned, so the organizers decided to raise the age limit for men's soccer from U23 to U24. Therefore, facing bigger opponents is considered a psychological barrier that needs to be overcome for young Vietnamese players.

However, the 55-year-old coach affirmed that Vietnam will not play negatively, but will do everything to play best against all opponents, with the goal of applying a synchronized playing style with the national team. "If you meet any opponent, you have to control the ball," he said. "This is better for the national team because when called up, the players will integrate quickly."

ASIAD 19 men's soccer has 23 teams divided into six groups with one group consisting of three teams. Teams compete in a round-robin tournament, selecting six first-place teams, six second-place teams and four third-place teams with the best results to enter the 1/8 round.

Vietnam is in Group B with two strong opponents, Saudi Arabia and Iran. Mr. Tuan said that the team may not play as imposingly as desired, but try to do their best to improve. The remaining opponent, Mongolia, is considered the weakest, but he respects it very much and does not show contempt.

Vietnam Olympic is practicing at the 24-player training center. Two names not on the list for ASIAD 19 are midfielder Nguyen Cong Phuong and goalkeeper Doan Huy Hoang. Tomorrow morning the team leaves for Hangzhou, China and has three days of acclimatization before playing the opening match against Mongolia.