U23 Vietnam is gearing up for a pivotal match against U23 Philippines in the Asian Games 20, following a 1-1 draw with U23 Kuwait. Despite the draw, which saw U23 Vietnam dominate with 27 attempts on goal, experts remain optimistic about their chances of advancing to the quarterfinals.

Former Vice President of the ASEAN Football Federation, Duong Vu Lam, commented on the performance of U23 Vietnam, noting that while the team had a strong overall play, their finishing was lacking. The team managed to hit the woodwork four times during the match against U23 Kuwait, highlighting their struggle to convert opportunities into goals.

Lam emphasized that even though U23 Vietnam's forwards have not been effective, there is no need to call back Nguyen Dinh Bac, a player who has progressed to the national team. He believes that established players should not return to youth teams, as this would hinder the development of younger talents who need opportunities to prove themselves.

The expert praised U23 Vietnam's tactical organization and individual performances, stating that they have shown improvements compared to past tournaments. However, he pointed out that the lack of regular playing time for many forwards in their clubs has affected their sharpness in front of goal.

Looking ahead to the match against U23 Philippines, Lam expressed confidence that U23 Vietnam could secure a victory. He noted that U23 Philippines has struggled recently, suffering a heavy defeat to U23 Uzbekistan, which indicates they may not pose a significant threat.

In terms of strategy, Lam suggested that U23 Vietnam should focus on exploiting the weaknesses of the Philippine players, who tend to struggle with quick transitions and often rely on long balls. He believes that U23 Vietnam's defenders should be able to manage this style of play effectively.

Overall, the potential for U23 Vietnam to advance to the quarterfinals remains high, and a win against U23 Philippines would significantly boost their chances. The team is determined to improve their finishing skills in training to ensure they capitalize on scoring opportunities in the upcoming match.