Top 5 Secrets Behind U23 Vietnam's Success at the AFC U-23 Championship

Coach Park Hang Seo has brought a fresh wave to Vietnamese football. With his talent and passion, he led Vietnam's national team to an incredible achievement at the AFC U-23 Championship. Before the tournament began, many had doubts about Coach Park’s ability, particularly with his use of a 3-5-1 formation that seemed less effective for a strong attacking side but left the defense vulnerable. However, these concerns quickly dissipated thanks to Coach Park's well-thought-out tactics throughout the competition. He chose a defensive counter-attack style, perfectly suited for facing much stronger opponents. Not only did the team defend tightly, but their counter-attacks were also stunning. Another highlight of Coach Park's approach was his brilliant tactical substitutions, especially in the match against Iraq, where he brought on "super sub" Phan Văn Đức at the start of the match, and the player delivered an outstanding performance. Coach Park's modern coaching mindset and deep emotional connection with the team also stand out. He was moved to tears after his team’s victories and shared the joy with his players, despite the language barriers.

The most striking factor that fans have witnessed in these young players is their unexpected resilience when facing much stronger opponents in the region. Despite the immense pressure from rival teams, our players showed no signs of fear. Instead, they responded with unwavering determination. The team delivered an exciting brand of football that captivated the audience. In the qualifying rounds, especially in the match against the strong Iraq team, even when we conceded a penalty due to a questionable decision, the players never lost their composure. They fought back with incredible perseverance, pushing the match into extra time. Even when we conceded another goal, which seemed like a blow to the morale, they demonstrated steely resolve. Their resilience was key to securing victory. It’s clear that U23 Vietnam has overcome one of its historic weaknesses: resilience under pressure. This is a vital secret behind their success and marks a significant mental shift in the players under Coach Park Hang Seo's leadership.

The people of Vietnam have never felt such a strong sense of national pride and identity. It’s been a long time since the nation has experienced this level of excitement. And it all started with the U23 Vietnam players. Through their passion and determination, they have brought overwhelming emotions to the Vietnamese people. With every stride on the field, the nation could feel the intensity of their commitment. In the eyes of players like Xuân Trường, Công Phượng, and Quang Hải, the fans could see just how dedicated they were, fully aware of the importance of wearing the national colors. Even when facing much stronger opponents, and enduring enormous pressure, the spirit and determination of the players remained unshakable. As central defender Duy Mạnh shared, the key to the team’s success was their mental strength. Therefore, we can confidently say that the first secret to U23 Vietnam’s triumph is their mental strength and unwavering determination.

For a long time, Physical Strength and Endurance were considered the weakest points of Vietnamese national teams. However, the U23 Vietnam players overcame this challenge, entering the tournament with exceptional fitness levels that lasted throughout the match. This was clearly demonstrated during the AFC U-23 Championship, where we faced many physically strong teams. Despite this, the U23 players showed no signs of fatigue or inferiority. The most obvious proof came in the match against U23 Iraq. After enduring three exhausting group-stage matches, particularly the physically demanding encounter with Iran, our players still had the stamina to fight through the full 90 minutes, and even 120 minutes, against another physically strong team, Iraq, securing a well-deserved victory. Coach Park Hang Seo quickly identified the team’s weakness in physical strength and endurance, realizing that our players’ conditioning needed improvement to compete with stronger teams at the continental level. As a result, he implemented strategies to improve the players' fitness. With better endurance, the team was able to execute their game plan effectively, maintaining a relentless pace throughout both offense and defense. Even towards the end of matches, our players’ tackles and shots still displayed impressive strength. This was a critical factor in U23 Vietnam's success.

Confidence is a crucial factor that helped the young players achieve success. Before the tournament, many feared that the Vietnamese players would not be able to perform to their full potential due to a lack of self-assurance. Without confidence, the players would hesitate to hold the ball, make plays, or show their skills. However, these concerns were quickly dispelled by the convincing performances of the young players. They were inspired by Coach Park’s approach, which instilled in them the confidence every player needs. Under his guidance, the players confidently dribbled and maneuvered against some of Asia’s top talents without any fear or insecurity. This was especially evident from the observations of Team Director Dương Vũ Lâm, who noted that the most significant change under Coach Park’s leadership was the confidence of the players. The team no longer felt intimidated by stronger opponents. This marked a significant personal and collective improvement, leading to the team's success.