Cong Phuong scores, Vietnam team defeats Seoul FC
Coach Park Hang-seo's team won 2-1 in a friendly match that took place this afternoon, April 25, in Paju, South Korea.
In the first half, coach Park Hang-seo used the defense that helped the U23 team win the Asian and Olympic silver medals to enter the Asiad semi-finals. Bui Tien Dung stood in the goal, playing above him were the trio of central defenders Dinh Trong, Do Duy Manh and Tien Dung.
Van Thanh was tested for the second consecutive match on the right wing, where he could not participate due to a torn ligament. The opposite wing belonged to Hong Duy, the two central midfielders were Xuan Truong and Hung Dung. The highest player was striker Duc Chinh, closely below him were Minh Vuong and Van Toan.
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Cong Phuong is performing well and will have a place with the Vietnamese team at the AFF Cup 2018. |
The Vietnamese team played well, had more possession of the ball, and dominated their opponents. However, just like in the first half of the match against Incheon United on October 22, the team could not turn their chances into goals. Van Toan was the most regretful player when he had two shots but could not beat the opponent's goalkeeper.
While the attack wasted chances, the defense was not as solid as coach Park Hang-seo expected. They lost focus for a moment, allowing the opponent to open the score from a situation going down the sideline and putting the ball in to finish.
In the second half, coach Park Hang-seo changed the entire lineup. Van Lam replaced Tien Dung in goal. Van Hau was pulled back to play center back with Xuan Hung and Ngoc Hai. Duc Huy was arranged to play right midfielder instead of Van Thanh, with Van Duc on the opposite wing. Quang Hai teamed up with Huy Hung for the first time in the central midfielder role. Tien Linh - the domestic striker with the most goals in V-League 2018 - played center forward, with captain Van Quyet and Thanh Trung supporting him on the wings.
Vietnam had an excellent first half. The defense did not allow the opponent to increase the gap, while the offense scored two goals. Thanh Trung was the one who equalized 1-1 before Cong Phuong was brought in from the bench and sealed the result 2-1.
On October 29, the Vietnamese team will have another friendly match with Seoul E Land FC. The team will then return to Hanoi and coach Park Hang-seo will have to decide to eliminate 7 players, finalizing the list of 23 members for the AFF Cup 2018.
