AFF Cup 2018: Hoang in attack, Hai in defense.

Meanwhile, with two other potential defenders, Van Thanh and Viet Tu, having been dropped early, Coach Park Hang-seo has eight defenders at his disposal, and it's likely he'll only take seven to Laos. Who will play on the left wing remains a difficult question; only Coach Park has the accurate answer.

Alternate

In recent years, Van Thanh has consistently been considered the number one full-back in Vietnamese football, both for the U22, U23, Olympic, and senior national teams. This winger possesses excellent physical fitness and effective attacking and defensive capabilities. His technique, speed, tenacity, and versatile playing style have earned him high praise. Unfortunately, a knee ligament injury forced him to undergo surgery, causing him to miss the 2018 AFF Cup and, further, the 2019 Asian Cup early the following year.

Returning to the story of the Vietnamese national team, the choice of who to replace Van Thanh has been the subject of much discussion among experts and the media. Observing training sessions and three friendly matches in their home country, Coach Park frequently trains his team with formations such as 3-4-3, then 4-4-2 and 4-2-3-1, depending on the opponent and the nature of the match. When a goal is needed, we will play with three defenders; when safety is required, the team will play with a four-man defense.

When an attack is needed, Trong Hoang will be brought onto the field (internet image).

With a three-defender formation, Ngoc Hai of SLNA was still given a chance by coach Park, but after their success at the U23 Asian Championship and ASIAD 18, the solidity and understanding between the three U23 players: Duy Manh, Dinh Trong, and Tien Dung will guarantee them a starting spot. Perhaps only if one of these three players is injured or suspended will Ngoc Hai have a chance.

At that time, if playing on the left wing and prioritizing attack, Trong Hoang was the first name that came to mind. Firstly, his tenacious nature and excellent physical condition would allow him to be a reliable defender on the right wing. In midfield, Trong Hoang wasn't yet an irreplaceable player, making him the most suitable choice at that moment. When goals were needed and the presence of red-shirted players in attack was increased, Trong Hoang was the player who could meet this requirement. At that point, a solution to close the gap behind Hoang "the bull" was crucial in counter-attacking plays.

If playing with four defenders and focusing on defense, Ngoc Hai is the best choice for the right-back position. The SLNA center-back has previously been tested in the right-back role. Ngoc Hai's tackling and defensive skills are far superior to Trong Hoang's, and arguably the best in the national team at the moment.

Not to mention, this defender's long passes to initiate attacks are a surprise tactic for the team. While not strong in attack and rarely using overlapping runs, Ngoc Hai compensates by being a reliable defensive anchor on the right wing, allowing the wing midfielders to confidently attack. Van Duc's social media post, "New positions always come with new challenges," also suggests a potential option for a player who has traditionally played as a midfielder, potentially playing in a deeper defensive position.

Who shines?

Ngoc Hai's class and versatility give Coach Park more options. (Image from the internet)

Even when Van Thanh plays, Coach Park doesn't dedicate 100% of his time to the HAGL player. Xuan Manh is still brought on to create surprises and conserve Van Thanh's energy. Therefore, the rotation of Trong Hoang and Ngoc Hai on the right wing seems to have been part of the South Korean coach's plan.

In both AFF Cup tournaments where the Vietnamese national team reached the final (Tiger Cup 1998 and AFF Cup 2008), at least one player from Nghe An province shone. This time, which of Van Duc, Trong Hoang, and Ngoc Hai will follow in the footsteps of their predecessors Huu Thang, Hong Son, and Cong Vinh and achieve this feat?