AFF Cup 2018: Hoang is the attacker, Hai is the defender

Meanwhile, two other potential defenders, Van Thanh and Viet Tu, were eliminated early, while Coach Park Hang-seo has 8 defenders in hand, most likely he will only send 7 defenders to Laos. Who will play on the left wing is still a difficult question, only Mr. Park has the correct answer?

Alternate

In recent years, Van Thanh has always been considered the number 1 full-back of Vietnamese football, both U22, U23 and Olympic, as well as the national team. This winger has a strong physical foundation and the ability to attack and defend effectively. Technique, speed, tenacity and a very flexible playing style make the defender from Hai Duong always highly appreciated. Unfortunately, a knee ligament injury forced him to undergo surgery and missed the opportunity to participate in the AFF Cup 2018 and further, the Asian Cup 2019 early next year.

Returning to the story of the Vietnamese team, choosing who to replace Van Thanh has taken up a lot of paper and pen from experts and the media. Observing training and 3 friendly matches in his home country, Mr. Park often trained his team with the 3-4-3, then 4-4-2 and 4-2-3-1 formations depending on the opponent and the nature of the match. When we need to score, we will play with 3 defenders, when we need safety, the team will play with a back four.

When needed to attack, Trong Hoang will be on the field (internet photo)

With the 3-defender formation, SLNA's Ngoc Hai was still sent on the field by Mr. Park to try his hand, but after the success at U23 Asia and ASIAD 18, the certainty and understanding of the 3 U23 players: Duy Manh, Dinh Trong and Tien Dung will ensure their starting position. Perhaps only when one of the three players above is injured or carded will the opportunity come to Ngoc Hai.

At that time, playing on the left wing and needing to prioritize attacking, Trong Hoang was the first name mentioned. First of all, his tenacity and good physical strength would help Trong Hoang block the right wing. In midfield, Trong Hoang was not yet an irreplaceable player, so this was the most suitable choice at this time. When needing goals and increasing the presence of the red shirt player in the attack, Trong Hoang was the player who met this requirement. At that time, it was very necessary to have a plan to cover the gap left behind by Hoang "crawling" in the counter-attacking formations.

If playing with 4 defenders, focusing on defense, Ngoc Hai is the best choice for the right-back position, the SLNA center back has been tested on the right wing. Ngoc Hai's tracking and defense skills are much better than Trong Hoang's, even the best in the team at the moment.

Not to mention, the long kicks and passes of this defender to launch attacks are the team's surprise moves. Although not strong in attack, rarely using overlapping moves, but in return, Ngoc Hai is a safe stopper on the right wing so that the wingers can confidently attack. Van Duc's shares on social networks "New positions always come with new challenges" also make people think about the option of playing back in the defender position of the player who has long played as a midfielder.

Who shines?

Ngoc Hai's class and versatility give Mr. Park more options. Photo from the internet

Even when Van Thanh plays, Mr. Park does not have to spend 100% of his time on this HAGL player. Xuan Manh is the player he still puts on the field to create surprises and save Van Thanh's energy. Thus, the fact that both Trong Hoang and Ngoc Hai will be rotated to the right wing is something that seems to be in the Korean coach's calculations.

In the two AFF Cups that the Vietnamese team reached the final (Tiger Cup 1998 and AFF Cup 2008), there was at least one player from Nghe An who shone. This time, who among the names Van Duc, Trong Hoang and Ngoc Hai will follow in the footsteps of their seniors Huu Thang, Hong Son and Cong Vinh and do this?