The giant and the dwarf of Vietnam U19

While Minh Dĩ is the shortest player on the Vietnam U19 team, defender Đoàn Văn Hậu is the tallest player on the team.These two left-footed brothers had a good game, helping the Vietnam U19 team reach the semi-finals.

The story of the giant and the dwarf of Vietnam U19.

The return of the dwarf Minh Dĩ

The impressive performance at the 2015 National U17 Football Tournament - Thai Son Nam Cup not only helped U17 PVF successfully defend their championship title but also enabled a number of players from this youth academy to join the Vietnam U19 national team under the guidance of coach Hoang Anh Tuan.

Besides the players who shone at the U17 Championship at that time, such as midfielder Bui Tien Dung (who won the best player award), Pham Trong Hoa (joint top scorer), and Van Hoa, Lam Thuan, Duc Chinh, and Viet Anh, there was also a player with a rather unique physique. That was Ho Minh Di. Along with Luong Hoang Nam (1.62m, HA.GL), Minh Di (1.59m) was the shortest player in the Vietnam U19 team.

To compensate for his modest height, the player from Quang Tri possesses exceptional speed and intelligent positioning. At the U19 Southeast Asian Championship, Di "the short one" was one of the four top scorers for the Vietnam U19 team, and also the second fastest goalscorer in the tournament (opening the scoring against Laos U19 in the semi-final in the 2nd minute).

Minh Dĩ made a commendable comeback in the Vietnam U19 jersey - Photo: Đức Cường

After a sweet 2015 filled with two campaigns – the U19 Southeast Asian Championship and the 2016 U19 Asian Championship qualifiers – Minh Dĩ unexpectedly dropped out of coach Hoàng Anh Tuấn's squad as the team focused on the U21 International friendly tournament. However, through his efforts in the U19 National Championship, the diminutive player of the Vietnam U19 team once again earned the trust of the Khánh Hòa-born strategist.

In the four group stage matches of the U19 Southeast Asian Championship, Minh Dĩ started three games. And in all three, he played the full 90 minutes. The shortest player in the Vietnam U19 team hasn't scored a goal yet, but he has contributed three assists, setting up goals for Tiến Linh, Duy Khánh, and Văn Hậu. Minh Dĩ's mobility on both flanks and his nimble, squirrel-like agility have caused a lot of trouble for opposing players.

The tall, mature younger brother on the left wing.

Unlike Minh Dĩ, Văn Hậu is a discovery of the Vietnam U19 team from the beginning of this year. While in the U21 International friendly tournament in Malaysia, the player born in 1999 was still a backup to Thanh Thịnh at left back, during the preparation phase and matches at the U19 Southeast Asian Championship, he has established his own position.

Van Hau is the second youngest player in the Vietnam U19 team (born just 6 days before the youngest, Truong Tien Anh). However, judging solely by his performance on the field, no one would dare claim he is younger than players like Bui Tien Dung, Tran Duy Khanh, or Ha Duc Chinh. With a height of over 1.90m, Van Hau is the tallest player on the Vietnam U19 team.

Van Hau is currently the first-choice left-back for coach Hoang Anh Tuan - Photo: Duc Cuong

Thanks to this, aerial duels inside the opponent's penalty area are always considered a definite advantage for the player wearing number 5. In the 81st minute of the match against Malaysia, from a pass by Minh Dĩ on the left wing, Văn Hậu beat his opponent in an aerial duel, doubling the lead for his team.

With coach Hoang Anh Tuan constantly rotating the squad to create opportunities and increase balance in the team, Van Hau remains a stable choice on the left wing for the Vietnam U19 team.

Starting in four consecutive matches, including 351 out of a possible 360 ​​minutes, clearly demonstrates the trust the head coach places in this young but highly-rated player.

According to bongdaplus