The fairy tale of the "super sub"

(Baonghean) - For two consecutive seasons, Vuong Quoc Trung was not allowed to play a single minute in the SLNA first team. Even after moving to Hai Phong in the 2015 season, this midfielder from Nghe An was rarely selected to play as a starter. However, luck smiled on Quoc Trung when his poor performance in the match at Go Dau, between B.Binh Duong and Hai Phong, caught the eye of Mr. Miura - Head Coach of the Vietnam National Team.

The story of Trung "sumo"

Like many other Nghe An players, Quoc Trung received very basic training. At the age of 13, through a relative's introduction, Quoc Trung went to Song Lam "furnace" for a trial and was accepted. The memories of the teachers at Song Lam "furnace" at that time were of a tall, strong boy, walking like a Japanese sumo wrestler. When he became acquainted and became close friends with many other players at Song Lam "furnace", Quoc Trung was affectionately nicknamed Trung "sumo" by everyone.

In 2006, at the age of 16, Quoc Trung was promoted by SLNA to play in the National U17 Tournament. That year's lineup of the Nghe An team also included Nguyen Manh, Ngoc Manh, The Cuong... At that time, in the National U17 Tournament, SLNA was a force and it was not surprising that they won the championship for the third consecutive time. According to the assessment of the experts at the Nghe An team, Quoc Trung's strength is that he can play in many positions. In addition to his strong position as a midfielder, Quoc Trung can also play as a full-back.

Player Quoc Trung (left) in Hai Phong shirt. Photo from internet

Quoc Trung's playing style is based on strength and is especially impressive with his "thunderous" long-range shots. In 2012, while playing for U.21 SLNA, Quoc Trung played very well, contributing greatly to helping the Nghe An team convincingly win the championship in the tournament held in Ninh Thuan. Immediately after that tournament, this midfielder was called up by Huu Thang to the SLNA first team to prepare for V.League 2013.

However, unfortunately for Quoc Trung, at that time, the defensive midfielder position at SLNA was occupied by Van Binh and Hoang Thinh who were playing very well. Despite his great efforts, Quoc Trung still could not compete for the position. Throughout the 2013 season, this midfielder was rarely registered to play and mainly watched the matches from the stands. The same thing happened a year later, when Hoang Thinh had grown up, and at a time when many other players could play the role of defensive midfielder well, so the opportunity almost did not come to Quoc Trung.

This midfielder is difficult to compete with because apart from his physical strength and good long-range shooting ability, he has nothing special. SLNA under former coach Huu Thang or later coach Quang Truong both like fast, creative playing style. Therefore, players like Quoc Trung do not fit the formation. After the Thanh - Nghe training tournament in 2014, SLNA introduced some players to Hai Phong on loan, including Quoc Trung.

Better lucky than smart

Having the basics, physical strength and burning desire, but just like at SLNA, Quoc Trung did not really create a "revolution" in playing style when playing at Hai Phong. Therefore, the familiar position of this midfielder is still on the bench. According to statistics, after 12 matches at V.League 2015, Quoc Trung only started 3 times, 5 times coming on from the bench. Among these, Quoc Trung often came on to replace Minh Chau, besides being tested in the right full-back position.

In the match at Go Dau, against the top team of group B. Binh Duong, Quoc Trung entered the field from the 60th minute. Objectively speaking, Quoc Trung's 30 minutes on the field were nothing special except for a few passes in empty positions. However, perhaps because of his physique, physical strength and ability to play well in the formation that Mr. Miura was planning to build, Quoc Trung was called up to the national team right after that.

It was a huge surprise because in the same position, many players who have created a brand and can play well such as Tien Thanh, Van Binh, Sy Cuong... were not called. When Quoc Trung received the information, he did not think it was true. "I thought someone was calling to tease me, but when the VFF and many reporters informed me, I believed it was true. I was very surprised because I never dared to dream that I would be named in the national team," Quoc Trung confided.

There are quite a few names that were once unknown, were promoted by Coach Miura and are now successful, such as Minh Tam or Huy Hung. Therefore, in a certain aspect, there are still many reasons for Quoc Trung to hope and create a turning point for himself, even though for this rookie, competing for a position with Minh Tuan, Minh Chau, Huy Hung, and Hoang Thinh is not simple.

For a special person like Miura, nothing is impossible. With the "molding" talent of this Japanese strategist, Quoc Trung has the right to dream, even though the luggage he brings to this first national team training session does not have as many things as other players.

Vinh Liem