With the National Day flag flying high and a 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia, the joy of victory should not be released too soon. Vietnam went out after two consecutive victories, a wake-up call that reminds us that Chinese soccer still has a long way to go. Fans and media should rate the national soccer team together at this moment.
In the first two rounds of the tournament, Vietnam's soccer has shown a staggering improvement, and the consecutive victories within the Group of Death are even more remarkable. Many fans are beginning to see Vietnam as a strong opponent for future Asian competitions. Despite the two consecutive victories, Vietnam is still at risk of going out of the tournament.
However, right in the final round, Australia completed a comeback against Qatar with a score of 9-1, an unexpected reversal that made Vietnam's road to qualification even more bumpy. Despite the fact that Vietnam had a chance to advance without losing, they lost 1-3 to Iran and were eventually eliminated due to goal difference disadvantage. Although Vietnam is technically superior, the shortcomings of physical confrontation need to be remedied.
Vietnam won twice in a row but failed to get out of the group, so is there any room for laughter for China's National Youth Football Team, which won only one game? Compared to Vietnam, the National Youth Football League is undoubtedly better in terms of strength. Despite Vietnam's two consecutive victories, its final match against Iran will not be easy. If Vietnam lost 1-2, there is still a possibility of advancement, but finally 1-3 hate, goal difference -1, regret out of the game.
The National Youth Football League (NYFL) has only won one game, but the situation is significantly better compared to Vietnam. As long as they beat Kyrgyzstan in the final round, regardless of who wins or loses between Saudi Arabia and Japan, the National Youth Football League is expected to get out of the group, and the road to promotion is in hand.
Perhaps some fans don't know who will advance hand in hand if the National Youth, Japan and Saudi Arabia score the same points in the final round.The rules for advancing to the group stage of the U20 Asian Cup are that in the case of a tie in points, the mini-round results between each other will be referred to instead of the total goal difference.
Take Vietnam's two consecutive wins: Vietnam 1-0 Australia, Vietnam 1-3 Iran, and Australia 3-2 Iran. From the mini-round robin results, Iran's goal difference is 1, Australia's is 0, and Vietnam's is -1.
National Youth's group situation after two matches: National Youth 1-2 Japan, National Youth 2-0 Saudi Arabia! If the National Youth beat Kyrgyzstan by just one goal in the final round, they will be guaranteed to qualify with 6 points, without having to look at the score between Saudi Arabia and Japan. If Japan wins, Saudi Arabia will be out of the tournament with 3 points. If Saudi Arabia wins 1-0 against Japan, Saudi Arabia's goal difference will be -1, National Youth's will be 1, and Japan's will be 0. Both National Youth and Saudi Arabia will advance. If Saudi Arabia wins by 2 goals or more, Japan's goal difference will be negative and the National Youth and Saudi Arabia will advance together.
At this point in the analysis, the National Youth Football League only needs to win, and the advancement will be within reach, no need to pay attention to the performance of Japan and Saudi Arabia. The National Youth Football League has the initiative to advance in its own hands. I believe the youngsters will carry on the spirit of hard work, break through the group of death, and bring new hope to Chinese soccer.
