Former player Le Quoc Vuong: Vietnam can make a miracle against Saudi Arabia

At 9:00 p.m. on September 2 (0:00 a.m. on September 3, Vietnam time), the Vietnamese team will have their opening match againstSaudi Arabiaat the final qualifying round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Before the match started, Nghe An Newspaper had a quick interview with the former Vietnamese playerLe Quoc Vuongabout the Vietnamese team's chances beforeSaudi Arabia.

Coach Park Hang-seo has prepared very well both mentally and technically for the players. Photo: Xuan Thuy

PV: In your opinion, what are the advantages of the Vietnamese team being able to train longer than other teams?

Le Quoc Vuong:Actually, the most favorable thing is that Vietnam has more time to prepare. Our players are trained together in all aspects of technique, tactics and physical strength. Meanwhile, the players of the other team still have to compete at the club level so they have less time to concentrate on the national team than us.

However, we are facing the obstacle of the players' poor playing condition, due to a long time of not being able to compete in official tournaments.

PV: Mr. Park always has luck when meeting West Asian teams, so do you think that will happen when we meet Saudi Arabia?

Le Quoc Vuong:Our only advantage is that we do not put too much emphasis on the goal of having to get points at all costs, so the players' mentality will be less burdened. I think that is the biggest and only advantage of Vietnam before the opening match of this third qualifying round.

As for Mr. Park’s luck against West Asian teams, I think it doesn’t matter much in this match. Because in the final qualifying round of the World Cup, the opponents will be more focused, choosing the best players to participate. So I think Mr. Pack’s luck doesn’t solve much.

PV: In your opinion, what style of play should Vietnam choose to create a surprise?

Le Quoc Vuong:In fact, Saudi Arabia is a West Asian team, but compared to other teams in the region, they are on a higher level. They play with great technique and speed, so they will create difficulties for our team. If we do not know how to distribute our physical strength and do not cover well, it will be difficult to have a favorable result.

PV: What do you think are the strengths of our team?

Le Quoc Vuong: Spirit is our strongest point. I think that under coach Park Hang Seo, the players as well as the entire coaching staff are always mentally prepared before each match. In the past tournaments, no matter how strong the team was, we played very resiliently. The problem now is that the red team must prepare well physically and concentrate highly throughout the two halves.

PV: Does losing some key central defenders weaken our defense?

Le Quoc Vuong:In fact, when playing against Saudi Arabia, we have the advantage of focusing more on defense. At that time, it is not only the role of the central defenders, but the whole team must focus on neutralizing the opponent's attacks. Requiring the forwards and midfielders to support and cover well, the back line will have less trouble. The absence of a few key players in the defense line may theoretically be weaker, but when placed in a system, I think the difference will not be too big.

Midfielder Duc Huy will be able to be used by Mr. Park in this match. Photo: Xuan Thuy

PV: Losing Hung Dung in midfield due to injury, is the combination of Xuan Truong and Tuan Anh in this line optimal?

Le Quoc Vuong:In fact, I cannot predict what tactics Mr. Pack will choose for this match. However, with an opponent from West Asia, it is almost obvious that we will be pressured. Therefore, choosing the duo Tuan Anh and Xuan Truong will make it difficult for us to respond well to the defensive game. As you can see, Xuan Truong is an attacking midfielder, his ability to compete for the ball will not be as good as other physical midfielders. Tuan Anh is constantly injured, this is an obstacle that makes it difficult for this player to compete fiercely with the tall midfielders of West Asia.

But who knows, Mr. Park might go against our predictions and choose an attacking style of play, taking the opponent by surprise from the opening moments of the match. Then the duo Xuan Truong and Tuan Anh will come into play.

PV: Can you predict how coach Pack Hang Seo will arrange the team?

Le Quoc Vuong:I can subjectively predict that he will choose a 3-4-3 formation. Because it will quickly change from 3-4-3 to 5-4-1. Then we will change from an attacking formation to a defensive formation. When counter-attacking, our two wings will have a certain thickness, so that we can create surprises for the opposing team. This will be a quite flexible arrangement to help the team play more flexibly.

Striker Van Toan may be in the starting lineup. Photo: Xuan Thuy

PV: In your opinion, what is the role of Nghe An players in this match?

Le Quoc Vuong:In my opinion, the four Nghe players are all important players in Mr. Park’s squad. But in this match, Que Ngoc Hai will play the role of leader on the field. He is both the commander of the defense and the captain, the spiritual support for his teammates.

Trong Hoang is an experienced player with good physical strength, very suitable for attacking and defending. As for Van Duc and Tuan Tai, I think they will not be in the starting lineup but will enter the field at the right time.

PV: Can you predict the outcome of this match?

Le Quoc Vuong:In fact, as a Vietnamese person, a fan of our team, I also really hope that you will have a successful match. I hope that you will have shining moments, and that luck will smile on Coach Park Hang Seo and his team, so that the Vietnamese team can create miracles.