The strength of U23 Kyrgyzstan

With a full 3 points and an impressive performance, Coach Kim Sang-sik's team holds a strong advantage in Group A ahead of their second match against U23 Kyrgyzstan, scheduled for 9 PM on January 9.

After the joy of winning their opening match against U23 Jordan, U23 Vietnam will face a new challenge in their second game against U23 Kyrgyzstan.

U23 Vietnam’s attack will confront a defense regarded as very strong. The attacking squad needs to devise more varied and sharp offensive strategies. Their usual short passing through the central area may struggle against opponents with long strides and a readiness for physical contact.

U23 Kyrgyzstan’s goalkeeper, Nurlanbekov, stands 1.91 meters tall with long arms, making him the most reliable pillar of the Central Asian team.

In the opening match against U23 Saudi Arabia, Nurlanbekov successfully saved a penalty from the hosts, nearly causing a major upset for his team.

U23 Vietnam also has center-back Khristiyan Brauzman, who is 1.90 meters tall and the most valuable player on the team, valued at 450,000 euros on Transfermarkt. Experts consider Brauzman one of the top defenders in the group. The combination of goalkeeper Nurlanbekov and Brauzman will make it harder for Coach Kim Sang-sik’s team to capitalize on corner kicks against players with superior spatial control.

U23 Kyrgyzstan is known for their fast, aggressive pressing and excellent one-on-one dueling skills, posing a difficult challenge for U23 Vietnam. After their opening loss, Kyrgyzstan has no way back, making the match against U23 Vietnam effectively an early "final." When a team is backed into a corner, their mental strength and recklessness become formidable.

Determined to secure all 3 points to keep their hopes alive, U23 Kyrgyzstan players will give their maximum effort, creating pressure on U23 Vietnam’s defense.

This is the first time Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam have met in the U23 Asian Cup. In head-to-head records, U23 Kyrgyzstan is not far behind U23 Vietnam. In their first encounter at the 2014 Asiad, Vietnam won 1-0, but in a friendly in 2023, U23 Kyrgyzstan returned the favor with a 1-0 victory.

Statistics do not favor U23 Vietnam. In previous U23 Asian Cup finals, the Golden Star Warriors faced Central Asian teams twice and lost both times to U23 Uzbekistan. Although Kyrgyzstan is rated lower than Uzbekistan, Central Asian football remains a challenging mystery with its physically strong, disciplined, and clear counter-attacking style.

Notably, U23 Kyrgyzstan is not a weak team as many might think. They topped their qualifying group, finishing above Uzbekistan, one of the continent’s most traditional U23 powerhouses. This success came from wins against Palestine 2-1, Sri Lanka 6-0, and a 2-2 draw against strong Uzbekistan.

Against host Saudi Arabia in their opening match, Kyrgyzstan played tenaciously despite being a man down for most of the game, showing their defensive strength.

Despite having many advantages, U23 Vietnam still needs to be cautious against an opponent with nothing to lose. However, with high spirits and thorough preparation, they are ready.