Losing 2-6 to U19 Australia, U19 Vietnam is not out of hope yet

U19 Vietnam wear mourning armbands to commemorate General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong

In this match, the Southeast Asian Football Federation (AFF) and the Organizing Committee of the 2024 Southeast Asian U19 Tournament approved the request of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) to allow the Vietnam U19 team to wear mourning armbands when competing to commemorate General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

In addition, the Southeast Asian Football Federation and the organizing committee of the host country, Indonesia, also observed a minute of silence before the match to commemorate General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

The Vietnam U19 team wore mourning bands when playing against Australia U19 at the 2024 Southeast Asian U19 Championship to commemorate General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. (Photo: VFF)

Effort against strong opponents

Before the match, coach Hua Hien Vinh proactively let his players practice relaxation exercises to relieve pressure after the 1-1 draw with Myanmar, because he knew the match with U19 Australia was extremely difficult.

However, U19 Vietnam still entered the second match determined to win 3 points to compete for a ticket to the semi-finals. As soon as the ball rolled, coach Hua Hien Vinh's students proactively played an offensive game against the opponent considered the strongest in the group, U19 Australia.

In fact, this style of play by the Vietnamese players somewhat surprised the young team from the land of kangaroos. U19 Vietnam even controlled the game and played better offensively in the first 15 minutes.

However, in the 19th minute, from Mai Hoang's failed clearance, midfielder Quintal stole the ball past a series of Vietnamese players before passing to Najdocski to tap the ball into the goal to open the score for U19 Australia.

The goal helped the young team from the land of kangaroos get excited and gradually regain the game to launch better attacks. On the other side of the front line, U19 Vietnam still had a sharp attack, unfortunately they still could not successfully take advantage of the finishing moves to score goals.

In the 39th minute, from an attack from midfield, Najdocski broke free and fired a shot to raise the score to 2-0 for U19 Australia, this was also his double in this half.

Right at the beginning of the second half, the score was raised to 3 - 0 for U19 Australia. From a very quick deployment, Sulemani dribbled the ball and then shot to defeat goalkeeper Van Binh in the 49th minute.

It wasn't until the 56th minute, from a combination, that Quang Dung had a beautiful long-range shot to shorten the score to 1-3 for U19 Vietnam.

Quang Dung scored to shorten the score. (Photo: VFF)

In the 66th minute, U19 Vietnam let their opponent score in a rather silly situation, when the defense and goalkeeper Van Binh played without concentration, allowing Najdocski to easily score, raising the score to 4 - 1.

With nothing left to lose, U19 Vietnam was forced to attack. Taking advantage of this, the young Australian players launched extremely dangerous counter-attacks, and in the 76th minute, Heweh raised the score to 5 - 1 for the opponent.

Cong Phuong (8) brought home a penalty for U19 Vietnam. (Photo: VFF)

In the 85th minute, goalkeeper Cullen fouled Cong Phuong in the penalty area, U19 Vietnam was awarded a penalty and Bao Long reduced the score to 2-5 on the 11m mark. In the 90+6 minute of extra time, the score was 6-2 for Australia and the scorer was Vickery.

Losing 2-6 in the end, U19 Vietnam still has hope of passing the qualifying round, when the last match is against the weakest opponent in the group, U19 Laos, while waiting for the result of the match between U19 Australia and U19 Myanmar.

U19 Vietnam: Van Binh, Hai Hoang, Quoc Khanh, Tuan Khai, Ngoc Chien, Bao Long, Long Vu, Cong Phuong, Quang Vinh (Hoang Anh, 59'), Huynh Trieu, Dang Khoa (Van Nam, 71').

Speaking after the match with U19 Australia in the second round of the 2024 Southeast Asian U19 Championship, coach Hua Hien Vinh acknowledged his players' progress compared to the opening match.

However, he also admitted that his students still lack experience in international competition and have to face opponents considered the strongest in the tournament.

Playing better than the opening match, but the Vietnam U19 team still did not achieve the desired result against the Australia U19 team, who were superior in every aspect. (Photo: VFF)

Coach Hua Hien Vinh said: “Although the team played better and tried harder, they still lost to U19 Australia. I would like to congratulate U19 Australia on their victory. Just as we predicted before the tournament, they are the strongest team in this group and deserve to be chosen as the top candidate for the championship.”

The heavy defeat against the young team from the land of kangaroos also revealed the weaknesses in the combat experience of U19 Vietnam when participating in international competitions.

“Although the team has 3 friendly matches in China, that is not enough for the players to gain experience and prepare for a highly competitive tournament like the U19 Southeast Asia. Hopefully, through this journey, the players will improve to prepare for the 2024 U20 Asia qualifiers,” said Mr. Hua Hien Vinh.

The U19 Vietnam team still has one last match against U19 Laos in the group stage. The result of this match will also have some impact on the ability of U19 Vietnam to continue. Coach Hua Hien Vinh said: "We will definitely use the strongest lineup to win. The team will prepare well to be determined to get 3 points."

According to nhandan.vn

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/thua-2-6-u19-australia-u19-viet-nam-chua-het-hy-vong-post387329.html