Korean newspaper praises Tan Truong's bravery; Vietnam benefits if SEA Games 31 is postponed

Korean newspaper praises Tan Truong's bravery

"The Vietnamese team under the leadership of coach Park Hang-seo finished the second qualifying round of the 2022 World Cup as one of the second-placed teams with good results, enough to participate in the third qualifying round. The team's contributions have once again rewritten the history of Vietnamese football, especially the contributions from the defense. In which, Bui Tan Truong (35 years old) is the last stopper," JoongAng Ilbo opened the article about the goalkeeper from Dong Thap.

The Korean news agency continued: "In fact, there was a time when Truong was not on the national team list due to frequent mistakes and being underestimated by fans. He even intended to retire, but caught the attention of coach Park Hang-seo thanks to playing for the Hanoi Club and was given the opportunity to return to the team."

Tan Truong will be the starting goalkeeper for the last three matches for the Vietnamese team in the second qualifying round of the 2022 World Cup. Photo: Quang Thinh

Witnessing Tan Truong's performance up until the loss to UAE, the Korean news agency did not hesitate to praise: "Tan Truong is increasingly perfect, confident and progressive. For Tan Truong, being given the opportunity to return to the national team is a gift that Coach Park gave him," JoongAng Ilbo continued.

Vietnam benefits if SEA Games 31 is postponed

It must be admitted that when the Vietnamese team entered the third qualifying round of the 2022 World Cup, the schedule pressure on coach Park Hang-seo increased significantly. Specifically, in September, October, and November, the third qualifying round of the 2022 World Cup for the Vietnamese team will take place with 6 matches. Of course, in a front considered the highest level and most difficult for the Vietnamese team in history, the workload from preparation to competition for coach Park is also very large.

Not stopping there, in terms of theoretical planning, Mr. Park also has to think about the next two campaigns in which he will shoulder great responsibility for achievements. That is the 31st SEA Games with U22 Vietnam and the 2020 AFF Cup with the Vietnam team. Perhaps with the AFF Cup, Coach Park will not take too much time when the participating team is still the Vietnam team. Having prepared and competed continuously in the third qualifying round of the 2022 World Cup in September, October and November also helps the Vietnam team have a good enough run towards the goal of defending the AFF Cup championship.

But SEA Games 31 is a completely different front. Because Mr. Park will have to take over a nearly completely new force. Perhaps, a few players from the U22 Vietnam generation such as Hai Long, Viet Anh, Van Hau, Van Xuan, Thanh Binh, Van Toan have been "promoted" to the national team by the Korean coach, but with the majority of young and new forces, Mr. Park also needs more time to convey his philosophy to the whole team. On the contrary, he also has to find a good enough framework for U22 Vietnam, in the goal of defending the SEA Games Gold Medal.

Defeating Indonesia 3-0 in the final, Vietnam men's football won the SEA Games Gold Medal for the first time in 2019.

But obviously, with the context of having to focus on the national team, Mr. Park cannot have enough time to take care of U22 Vietnam, if the SEA Games takes place right at the end of this year - that is, interspersed between the two stages of the Vietnam team including the third qualifying round of the World Cup and the AFF Cup. But if the SEA Games is postponed to April next year, the Korean coach will of course have more time to research, search, evaluate personnel and prepare properly for U22 Vietnam.

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