After the end of the group stage, many fans waited for the same scenario as 6 years ago for U23 Vietnam.
Recreating the 2018 Asian U23 seeding bracket
6 years ago, coach Park Hang Seo and his team shocked Asia with their extraordinary journey at U23 Asia 2018. U23 Vietnam won 4 points to pass the group stage, then defeated Iraq in the quarterfinals, and defeated them in the semi-finals. Qatar and lost 1-2 to Uzbekistan in the final.
The extraordinary journey in Changzhou (China) greatly contributed to changing the face of Vietnamese football on the continental arena. This is a miracle that opens 5 years full of joy for Vietnamese fans under coach Park Hang Seo.
U23 Vietnam’s match is similar to the miracle of Changzhou in 2018. Photo: AFC
Now U23 Vietnam falls into the same bracket as 6 years ago. Coach Hoang Anh Tuan and his team met Iraq in the quarterfinals. This is the bracket with host Qatar – the team that meets Japan in the quarterfinals. The dream scenario is that Vietnam meets Uzbekistan again in the 2024 U23 Asian final.
Many Vietnamese fans have thought that the Changzhou miracle could be recreated at U23 Asia 2024 after there is a branch of the knockout round. No one taxes dreams, so we have the right to think of beautiful scenarios for U23 Vietnam.
Oppotunity and challenge
U23 Vietnam’s chances of continuing are considered easier when they meet Iraq in the quarterfinals. This is a lucky sign for Vietnam. In the case of facing reigning Saudi Arabia, U23 Vietnam’s chances of winning are very small, because there is such a big difference in level between the two teams.
In the past, U23 Vietnam has not lost to Iraq in the Asian U23 playground. Vietnam beat Iraq in the quarterfinals of U23 Asia 2018, lost 1 and drew 1 in two friendly matches. This impressive head-to-head record will help U23 Vietnam become more confident in the upcoming competition.
However, the challenge for U23 Vietnam is not small. U23 Iraq was almost eliminated and escaped spectacularly to enter the quarterfinals. Iraq has class, plus the excitement will be very strong. U23 Vietnam needs to keep a cool head and stay calm before Iraq.
Above all, U23 Vietnam needs to avoid basic mistakes, or redundant movements that lead to penalty cards and penalties. Statistics show that U23 Vietnam is among the teams with the most fouls in the tournament, receiving 7 yellow cards, 1 red card and 1 penalty in the group stage.
At the youth level, competitive spirit is a particularly important factor. Hopefully U23 Vietnam will be steadfast against Iraq’s strength and take advantage of their opponents’ mistakes to win tickets to the semi-finals.
“The quarter-finals were definitely difficult. In the group stage, Iraq U23 lost to Thailand but that does not mean they are a weak team. They are still a strong team. However, I want to reiterate that we came here to compete and the players will show a different face in the quarterfinals,” coach Hoang Anh Tuan said about the match with U23 Iraq.
The quarterfinal match between U23 Vietnam and U23 Iraq took place on April 27.