Vietnam U22 goalkeeper wants to keep a clean sheet at the 32nd SEA Games

Under the guidance of Coach Park Hang-seo, the U23 Vietnam team, with three over-aged players, kept a clean sheet in all six matches on the way to winning the 31st SEA Games gold medal. Van Chuan was also in that squad, with substitute role for Nguyen Van Toan.

When attending the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia this year, Van Chuan had the opportunity to be the number one goalkeeper, and he very much wanted to re-establish the clean sheet record with U22 Vietnam in the previous period. "I will try to keep a clean sheet from start to finish," the 22-year-old goalkeeper said before training on the afternoon of April 19. "I always try every game and see it as a joy to win together as a team."

However, Van Chuan's goal will be challenged when U22 Vietnam must soon confront strong rivals Thailand and Malaysia right from the group stage. Under coach Philippe Troussier, U22 Vietnam also conceded eight goals, including one in a friendly against First Division team Phu Tho 2-1, and seven goals in the Doha Cup friendly tournament where they lost 0-3 to U22 Iraq. , U22 UAE 0-4, then U22 Kyrgyzstan 0-0.

According to Van Chuan, the matches at the Doha Cup helped U22 Vietnam realize many points that need to be overcome. "We improved our passing and receiving a lot after the tournament," he said. "The ball is also deployed more upline".

In the immediate future, the goalkeeper from Tuyen Quang has to compete with Doan Huy Hoang, Tran Trung Kien and Cao Van Binh for two goalkeeper spots to attend the 32nd SEA Games. Van Chuan has an advantage when he attended the 31st SEA Games, starting at the SEA Games. AFC U23 Championship 2022. Last weekend, he also started the first match in the V-League 2023 for Hanoi FC - a 1-3 loss to Binh Dinh.

"Now is the time for me to focus 100% on the SEA Games," said the goalkeeper born in 2001. "Playing in the V-League helps to gain more experience by playing with the big brothers, the player level is also higher than in the youth league."

Van Chuan and his teammates maintained training in Ba Ria - Vung Tau before leaving for Cambodia on April 26. On April 30, the team went out to meet Laos. Coach Troussier will finalize the official list of 20 players one day before the match.