'Younger Vietnam players no more afraid of Thailand', says French coach

Today, U9 International tournament final between  U19 selected Vietnam vs U19 Thailand will kick off after the home team won over U19 China. In Just 1 week, Vietnam and Thailand encounter twice at 2 levels, namely U19 and U23.

At U23 level, U23 Vietnam defeated U23 Thailand’s strongest possible team with 4 goals, conceding no goals on My Dinh stadium in AFC 2020 Qualifiers’ final match. U23 Vietnam victory both became Changsuek’s nightmare and fostered the pride in any fans that Vietnam no longer feared Thailand.

U19 Vietnam’s coach Guillaume Graechen said in a press conference ahead of the final match, admitted that his players were not horrified of losing to Thai any more, thanks to U23 Vietnam’s glorious victory under Park Hang-seo’s reign.

"What I was most pleased about U19 Vietnam was that they knew how to overcome the pressure. When confronting Thailand, they have gone a little off the rails, but in the end, the team removed stress to go for it in this last match.

Over 10 years working in Vietnam, I knew my players we have psychological concerns every time facing Thailand. I have also encountered them many times and found my players be the same. But at the age of 19, they no longer suffered that kind of pressure. U23 Vietnam’s victory against Thailand U23 has encouraged the whole team "

U19 Vietnam selected team is with the participation of key players from Hoang Anh Gia Lai Arsenal JMG’s 4^th course, the generation that won U19 National Cup’s runner-up title under coach Guillaume Graechen’s lead. In order to earn a ticket to U19 International Tournament Finals, U19 Vietnam won over U19 Myanmar in a 2-1 match, drew 0-0 against U19 Thailand before winning U19 China with a minimum score.