AFF Cup 2018 Semi-finals: The role of Nghe An players

Que Ngoc Hai is burdened

Whether playing with 3 or 4 defenders, Que Ngoc Hai naturally has a starting position because of what he is showing at this AFF Cup. With the advantage of good physique and physical strength when playing calmly, the chance of winning in confrontations of this Nghe An central defender has improved in a positive direction. He also has the conditions to develop long passes with high accuracy when counter-attacking. When Van Quyet is not on the field, Ngoc Hai's role as captain is even more evident.

Que Ngoc Hai is increasingly showing a more sober and mature playing style. Photo: Trung Kien

The confrontation between Ngoc Hai and key striker Phil Younghusband decided the outcome of this match. In the 2018 season, despite being 31 years old, this English-born striker still proved his "killer" instinct with 12 goals for Davao Aguilas Club - ranked 3rd in the list of top scorers in the Philippine National Championship.

This number 10 has been present in 5 AFF Cups (from 2010 to present) and has scored 6 goals. In every AFF Cup, the Philippine captain has scored at least 1 goal (2 goals in 2014 alone) and he has also scored 1 goal in this group stage.

Meanwhile, in the Vietnam national team, Que Ngoc Hai is a typical Song Lam central defender, always fast, strong, determined and even reckless. However, those who have followed Que Ngoc Hai in the past few years will notice that after getting married and having children, Hai has become much calmer and more mature in his playing style.

Therefore, Hai did not develop in the direction of Huy Hoang in the past, which is to play aggressively to intimidate opponents, but instead played with a dignified style, mainly using his judgment rather than pure strength. The image of a defensive leader is increasingly evident in Que Ngoc Hai, especially in matches where Van Quyet does not play and he wears the captain's armband.

With the advantage of height and physique, coach Sven-Goran Eriksson did not hide his intention to play high balls in this match. The ball will be continuously crossed from both wings into the middle for the Philippine strikers to take advantage of their height to head the ball. The number of 6/11 home players with a height of over 1.80m will make many Vietnamese fans worried.

To prevent this attack, football textbooks have clearly stated that Vietnamese players need to focus on blocking the two wings. Thus, Trong Hoang and Van Hau will attack less than in the group stage matches to focus on defense.

When the home team does not have Daisuke Sato on the left wing, coach Sven-Goran Eriksson will most likely focus on attacking on the right wing. To support Van Hau, Van Duc will most likely replace Van Quyet in the left wing midfielder position. Player number 20 is in good form, plays fast and supports defense better than his senior Van Quyet.

Cong Phuong meets "acquaintance"

Cong Phuong has a great opportunity to meet again "acquaintance" Alvaro Silva. Photo: Internet.

Statistics from the AFF Cup Organizing Committee show that Vietnamese players have fired a total of 57 shots after 4 group stage matches, 31 of which were on target, but the conversion rate of Vietnamese players into goals is only 25.8% (8/31), far lower than the Philippines' 31.2%. Playing defensive counter-attacks, Cong Phuong needs to take advantage of opportunities, if coach Park Hang-Seo lets him play.

Cong Phuong has a great opportunity to meet his “acquaintance” Alvaro Silva again. Growing up from Malaga’s training center, 1.87m tall center-back Alvaro Silva has wandered through many clubs in Spain, Romania, Korea… before joining Hanoi FC in 2017. He not only defended well but also scored 4 goals after only 14 appearances, becoming the best center-back in V.League 2017.

Since the Philippines uses a pair of tall central defenders, Alvaro Silva and Murga, it is uncertain whether veteran Anh Duc will be able to play. Obviously, the home team's defense will not hesitate to mark striker Anh Duc with Cong Phuong, a player with good personal skills and who dares to hold the ball./.