Expert Đoàn Minh Xương: 'U22 Vietnam Deciphers the Enigma of U22 Philippines'

15/12/2025 10:07:00 ceshi

U22 Vietnam is considered slightly superior to the surprising U22 Philippines in the SEA Games 33 semifinals, but the opponent has proven to be an unpredictable mystery of the tournament.

Expert Đoàn Minh Xương is confident that Coach Kim Sang Sik’s team will decipher the enigma of U22 Philippines to advance to the final: "This is not merely a fight for a final berth but also a test of U22 Vietnam’s courage and tactical understanding against a flourishing and pragmatic opponent.

For U22 Vietnam, there remains a persistent worry about missing scoring chances that has not been fully resolved. The forwards still lack coldness and subtlety in their finishing. Additionally, despite efforts to diversify their play, the final moments have lacked the highest quality and accuracy needed to efficiently break down the opponent’s defense. Moreover, sometimes U22 Vietnam’s defense reveals a certain hesitation in the opponent’s attacking situations."

Expert Đoàn Minh Xương sees U22 Philippines as a phenomenon of the tournament and advises caution: "Reaching the semifinals after 34 years is very encouraging for U22 Philippines. They are built on a highly pragmatic and cold-blooded playing philosophy.

The strength of U22 Philippines comes from combining local players with foreign-born talents. They have 13 'foreign' players who play with a modern mindset and considerable confidence. They include standout players called up to the national team such as brothers Nicholas and Gabriel Guimaraes, Santiago Rublico, Javier Mariona, Sandro Reyes, and Otu Banatao.

U22 Philippines have adopted a simple style, emphasizing disciplined defense, quick transitions, and making the most of even the smallest chances. They do not depend on individual stars but play as a tactically balanced team.

U22 Vietnam is expected to win against U22 Philippines, although some difficulties may arise. Photo: Tuấn Phạm

Watching U22 Philippines’ victory over U22 Indonesia reveals their typical style: accepting a low defensive block, maintaining tight team spacing, closing the central lane, and immediately launching fast counterattacks with 2-3 precise passes. Otu Banatao’s decisive goal is the clearest evidence of this style.

It is clear that reaching the semifinals has greatly boosted U22 Philippines’ spirit. Players’ statements show they do not want to stop at this memorable milestone but aim for more. U22 Philippines demonstrate a real desire to compete for a medal."

Expert Đoàn Minh Xương believes that facing U22 Philippines in this confident state will create challenges for U22 Vietnam: "The semifinal will be a tense tactical battle, where U22 Vietnam might face a well-organized, disciplined defensive wall.

Therefore, U22 Vietnam must remain extremely patient, avoiding falling into the trap of following the opponent’s slow and monotonous pace. We must maximize game control and quickly circulate the ball on both flanks to stretch the Philippines’ formation.

U22 Vietnam vs U22 Philippines: A Test of Character (15:30, Dec 15, live on VTV2)

The final passes need to be more precise and creative to exploit rare gaps. The ability of individuals like Đình Bắc, Khuất Văn Khang, or set-piece and aerial situations involving taller players will be important weapons.

U22 Vietnam must absolutely avoid leaving spaces in midfield or between the wing players and the central defensive trio. The midfielders, especially those responsible for ball recovery, must stay highly focused to stop the Philippines’ quick transitions.

In summary, Coach Kim Sang Sik’s team needs to show the composure of a championship contender, playing with cold efficiency in finishing to settle the game early and avoid prolonging the physical and mental struggle to the final moments. The path to the final is just one step away, and we believe U22 Vietnam will overcome."

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