Viettel Club - dangerous or 'harmless'?

SinceV.League 2022Returning after a break, Viettel Club has made many changes, especially in the head coach position, when Mr. Truong Viet Hoang gave up his position to coach Bae Ji-won. Perhaps the impressive performance of the Korean coach in the AFC Cup group stage is one of the reasons for this change. In the AFC Cup group stage this year, Viettel successively surpassed 3 opponents in Group I to lead with 9 points, scored 11 goals and conceded 3 goals.

Coach Bae Ji-won of Viettel club.

However, Viettel's above results were against opponents from Laos, Cambodia and Singapore - where football is weaker than Vietnam. Returning to V.League, Viettel showed a completely different face compared to what it showed in the continental arena. Starting with the humiliating 0-1 loss to Hong Linh Ha Tinh at Hang Day home stadium.

It seemed that the defeat was just an accident, because in the next round Viettel defeated Hai Phong right at Lach Tray Stadium with a score of 2-1 thanks in no small part to the rising striker Nham Manh Dung. However, the losses immediately after that against Nam Dinh, Thanh Hoa and Binh Duong showed that Viettel under coach Bea Ji-won is a completely different team. It is no longer a unified, tight block that is difficult to penetrate. In 7 matches under the Korean coach in V.League, they lost 4 matches, scored only 5 goals and also conceded 5 goals. A very unimpressive number for the team that is the current V.League champion.

The defense - Viettel's pride in recent years, is also a mirror reflecting the lackluster performance of the army team this season. Que Ngoc Hai left to return to play for his hometown team, Captain Bui Tien Dung is injured and it is unknown when he will return, Nguyen Thanh Binh's performance has been inconsistent. Perhaps Nguyen Manh and Phan Tuan Tai are the rare bright spots this season. The two away losses against Nam Dinh and Thanh Hoa had the same scenario: Viettel Club's central defender scored an own goal while goalkeeper Nguyen Manh was helpless.

While the defense is not solid, Viettel's attack is even more disappointing, scoring 11 goals in 11 matches - only better than the two clubs Nam Dinh and Ho Chi Minh City. Meanwhile, in terms of force, Viettel's attack is the dream of many teams - Geovane, Caique, Pedro Paulo and Nham Manh Dung are names that are somewhat remembered by many people in Vietnam. Besides, they are also supported by the 2022 Vietnam Golden Ball Nguyen Hoang Duc and Ho Khac Ngoc - a midfielder who is equally creative. However, besides Geovane and Nham Manh Dung who somewhat meet the requirements of the coaching staff, the others are Viettel's disappointments up to this point of the season. The way they lost to Nam Dinh, Thanh Hoa and Binh Duong speaks to this disappointment.

Although Viettel's performance during this period is disappointing, it should be remembered that they are the defending champions. The spirit of the army team is something that cannot be underestimated. Facing a Hai Phong and SHB Da Nang team full of enthusiasm, Viettel still knows how to defeat their opponents right on their field. Outstanding individuals like Hoang Duc or Geovane also make their opponents regret.

Song Lam Nghe An has a difficult away trip to Viettel's field. Photo: Tien Dung

It seems that after two consecutive losses against Dong A Thanh Hoa and Becamex Binh Duong, coach Bea Ji-won realized the shortcomings in Viettel's playing style, and made timely adjustments in the match against SHB Da Nang. The 2-0 victory at Hoa Xuan somewhat dispelled fans' doubts about the army team.

With a history of confrontation up to now, the match between Song Lam Nghe An and Viettel, no matter the time, is always one of the most anticipated matches of the season.V.LeagueAnd what face will Viettel show this weekend when they host Song Lam Nghe An at Hang Day Stadium?