Opportunities and challenges for Van Khanh

(Baonghean.vn) - If successful in his role as the leader of the U22 Vietnam defense in the qualifying round.At the 2018 AFC U23 Championship, the door to a bright future for center-back Van Khanh's football career will be wide open.

Previously, HAGL goalkeeper Le Van Truong withdrew due to a grade 2 ligament sprain, and then center-back Bui Tien Dung requested to return to play the last two matches of the First Division for Viettel, leaving the Vietnam U22 team with only 26 players. Furthermore, Duc Huy's injury led coach Huu Thang to decide to play a 4-4-2 formation against East Timor U23.

starting lineup

It's not hard to see that coach Huu Thang will use the upcoming U23 Asian Cup qualifiers to assemble his team and test tactics for the SEA Games 29. With Xuan Truong sidelined due to suspension and Tuan Anh showing signs of a recurring injury, Huu Thang has made a rather shrewd decision.

The U22 players were instructed to train in the rain to get used to all weather conditions. Photo: Internet

He took the opportunity to test Duy Mạnh in the central midfield role in a 4-4-2 formation alongside Tuấn Anh. On the wings, of course, were Quang Hải (left) and Văn Toàn (right), but they were paired with two completely new full-backs.

On the right wing will be Duy Hau, the left-back who was included by Fox Sport in their team of the best young Asian players for the U20 World Cup. Van Thanh, who just had a successful trial match against Viettel, will partner with Van Toan on the right wing.

In the upcoming U23 Asian Cup qualifiers and the SEA Games 29, besides Quang Hai's crosses, Van Toan will also have crosses from the defensive duo Van Thanh and Van Hau.

Captain Cong Phuong continued to start alongside Thanh Binh in the attack. The coaching staff needed a center forward with a good physique, a powerful attacking style, and the ability to hold up the ball to supplement and support players with good individual technical skills like Cong Phuong and Van Toan.

In fact, Duc Chinh is also an effective center forward, but his playing style, similar to Van Toan and Cong Phuong, will somewhat reduce the necessary diversity in the attack.

An opportunity for Van Khanh

Center-back Van Khanh will partner with Dinh Trong, who has just been appointed to replace center-back Bui Tien Dung. These are players who have competed in many V-League matches, are tall and slender. Having appeared in the Vietnam U22 team, the center-back from Nghe An has only played a supporting role so far, lacking the necessary leadership qualities of a defensive leader.

The U22 defense, consisting of Van Thanh, Van Khanh, Dinh Trong, Van Hau, and goalkeeper Phi Long, has yet to produce a true "leader." Ideally, with his extensive experience playing for the national team, Van Thanh should be the player in charge of the defense, but his mobile playing style and frequent participation in attacks make him unsuitable for this role.

Coach Huu Thang plans to use the upcoming U23 Asian Cup qualifiers to assemble a team and test tactics for the 29th SEA Games. (Image: Internet)

The burden of leading the defense has suddenly fallen on the shoulders of center-back Hoang Van Khanh, a former student of Huu Thang. This means Van Khanh has the responsibility of "shouting" to the two central midfielders Duy Manh and Tuan Anh to participate in defense from afar, reminding teammates to mark opponents, and personally being present to avert danger at critical points.

This is the role that senior players from SLNA like Huu Thang and Huy Hoang have previously played and left a successful mark on while wearing the national team's jersey.

If he succeeds in his new role as the leader of the Vietnam U22 defense, Van Khanh's chances of starting for the national team will be wider than ever. This is a real challenge for Van Khanh on his path to a career in football.

SLNA fans and the fan community wish you the best in showcasing your skills, playing calmly and effectively in every play.

AT