Football expert Vu Manh Hai: The 29th SEA Games Final is the target of all Vietnamese people

(Baonghean) - Coach Nguyen Huu Thang and the Vietnam U22 team are focusing on preparing for the Asian U23 Qualifiers and the 29th SEA Games taking place this August. According to football expert Vu Manh Hai, there are still some concerns but this is still a SEA Games worth looking forward to.

- Hello expert Vu Manh Hai, what is your general assessment of the U23 Vietnam team preparing for the U23 Asian Qualifiers compared to the generation of players a few years ago such as Que Ngoc Hai, Manh Hung, Huy Toan...

- In my opinion, under the leadership of each coach, the national team has different strengths and weaknesses. During Mr. Miura's time, the national teams relied on modern playing styles following European trends. This time, coach Huu Thang chose the core of HAGL players. Personally, I like these players more. But if we compare them, they are equal, there is not much difference.

Expert Vu Manh Hai highly appreciates the current generation of U22 Vietnam players, especially the midfield - Photo: Internet

The U22 Vietnam team at this time is building a style of play based on many excellent players in the midfield. The most worrying thing is still the strikers. It must be said frankly that we are lacking a true striker. And our football is lacking good strikers, not just U22 Vietnam.

- There is one thing that fans are wondering about: recently, Coach Huu Thang has been creating maximum conditions for Cong Phuong to regain his form, but it seems to still not be effective?

In my opinion, Cong Phuong's skills are showing signs of slowing down, his development is facing some kind of obstacle that no one has found a solution for. Our team can hardly expect much from him and we need to find other solutions.

- Sir, is the absence of coach Hoang Anh Tuan in the coaching staff a disadvantage for U22 Vietnam?

- If coach Hoang Anh Tuan is present for the upcoming SEA Games, it will be much better and more perfect. Because we already know Hoang Anh Tuan's ability. The U22 team this time has goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung, defender Tran Dinh Trong, Ho Tan Tai, Huynh Tan Sinh, Doan Van Hau, Do Thanh Thinh, midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai, striker Ha Duc Chinh, who are Hoang Anh Tuan's students who played well at the U20 World Cup. He understands the thoughts, wishes, and understands the level and psychology of his students.

- The target of reaching the final match of the 29th SEA Games assigned to Coach Huu Thang by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the General Department of Sports and Physical Training and the VFF is considered quite heavy. What do you think about the possibility of success of Coach Nguyen Huu Thang and his team and the remaining candidates?

The problem of the attack line is waiting for coach Nguyen Huu Thang to find the optimal solution - Photo: Trung Kien

- I think assigning such a target is completely correct. The coaches themselves also want to have a target for people to strive for. If we only set the goal of reaching the semi-finals, it is not good. That target is not only for the Ministry or the General Department but also for Vietnamese fans. Our ability and strength can reach that level.

We have to admit that the level of the Thai team is one level above ours. However, in a specific match or tournament, we can play on par with them. In general, our football is losing to Thailand, but we are on par with other football teams such as Indonesia, Singapore and slightly better than Myanmar. Therefore, we have to try our best in each match.

Trung Kien