Supachok Becomes Take-On King, While Tristan Do Struggles
The 4-4-2 diamond formation helps your team take control of the midfield but offers little width in defense and attack. Nishino addressed these disadvantages by having forward Supachok stretching out to hug the touchline. Right-back Tristan Do carried out the same task on the opposite flank. Both players were not involved in the build-up phase of the game.
Supachok shined in this tactical setup, which suits his personal trait of cutting inside and having a shot at goal. The Buriram United star constantly got the better of right-wingback Nguyen Trong Hoang and almost score in the first-half when he tried to curl a shot into the far post.
Playing on the same flank as Theerathon meant the ball mostly found it’s way to Supachok or the space in behind, where he can reach with his incredible pace. Phitiwat’s box-to-box ‘underlapping’ runs from the inside-left channel also vital in dragging out the opponent, opening up spaces for Supachok to cut into.
Unfortunately the same could not be same about Tristan Do, who is evenly matched with left-wingback Nguyen Phong Hong Duy in terms of pace and acceleration.
Like I’ve mentioned above, Vietnam set out to press from their right flank, inwards, then out their left flank – which was Thailand’s right side, occupied by Tristan.
Being a fullback, Tristan game is limited to around 180-degree angle due to the fact that he spends most of the game hugging the touchline. This made Tristan the perfect target to harras and win the ball. More so than Theerathon, who is able to shift inside and expand his field of play.
Phong Hong Duy and his teammates does a fantastic job in closing Tristan. And to not concede possession in such dangerous area, Manuel had no choice but launch the ball forward – inadvertently cutting Tristan, and to a certain extent Thitipan, out of the game.
How do we Bring the Girl Home?
Chanathip Songkrasin was guaranteed to be shadowed for the entire game. So it made sense for Nishino to allow Chanathip the freedom to roam – find pockets of space where he sees fit.
However, with Chanathip darting around and Supachok stationed on the far left, there is no one to break in behind Vietnam’s backline. Thitipan is one of the country’s best at making lung-busting vertical runs into the opponent’s box but there is no room to do so when he’s playing him so high up the pitch. There is no room for him to build up pace and attack at the right moment – Vietnam sat so deep that it would be like running into a brick wall.
Nishino pulled Thitipan back into midfield in the second half, and Trinita man got more involved until he limped off due to what we now know is an 8-week injury. Striker Supachai Jaided came on in the 67th minute but penetrating the opposition backline isn’t one of his specialties.
Thailand controlled the majority of possession while Vietnam continued to threaten on the counter – breaking through down the flanks a couple of times. Sadly, Nishino’s side couldn’t find their way past Mr.Park’s fortress and the game ended scoreless.
After the game, Nishino made it clear he was slightly disappointed by the lack of penetration and decisive actions by Thailand in the final third. This was a statement Nishino repeated the team must improve ahead of the away game versus Indonesia.
Former Chile and Argentina head coach Jorge Sampaoli once compared having possession without penetration like flirting to a girl all night but not bringing her home. And that the moment, the Thais are leaving the bars drunk and alone.