Vietnam National Team Roster: Surprise and Injustice?

Looking at the list announced by the South Korean strategist on March 10th, Vietnamese football fans were understandably surprised. Alongside some regrettable absences, several new players have appeared. However, many experts and fans feel it's unfair to the players that Coach Park has "left out." Simply put, their current form is quite impressive and they deserve to be included.Coach Park Hang-seoGive them a chance.

Pham Xuan Manh is shining brightly in the Song Lam Nghe An jersey. Photo: Xuan Thuy.

The first case is defender Pham Xuan Manh. In the first three matches of the V.League 2022, Manh "Kalou" performed exceptionally well. In particular, in the recent match against Hoang Anh Gia Lai, the 1996-born player played brilliantly. Not only did he fulfill his duties as a left wing-back, but Pham Xuan Manh also scored the opening goal after a header, contributing to Song Lam Nghe An's 2-0 victory over Hoang Anh Gia Lai.

Once again, Ho Khac Ngoc (in red shirt) was overlooked by coach Park Hang-seo. Photo: VPF

Alongside Pham Xuan Manh is his teammate from Song Lam Nghe An, Nguyen Van Hoang. To be fair, the Nghe An team's third place position in the V.League 2022 standings is largely thanks to the goalkeeper from Tan Ky. Without Nguyen Van Hoang's exceptional reflexes, the Vinh-based team would have struggled to secure all six points against Binh Duong and Hoang Anh Gia Lai. Yet, Coach Park Hang-seo has called up Bui Tan Truong, a goalkeeper who hasn't played a single match in this year's V.League.

Similarly to Pham Xuan Manh and Nguyen Van Hoang, the case of Ho Khac Ngoc of Viettel is also relevant. Perhaps, even now, most Vietnamese football fans still don't understand why Coach Park hasn't given more opportunities to Viettel's "maestro," one of the best central midfielders in Vietnamese football recently. His outstanding performances for Song Lam Nghe An and Viettel are clear evidence of this. It's a pity that in Coach Park Hang-seo's eyes, Luong Xuan Truong is always rated higher than Ho Khac Ngoc.

Of course, as the "head coach," Coach Park Hang-seo has the right to choose the players he feels are most suitable for the Vietnamese national team's plan, specifically for the upcoming two matches against Oman (March 24) and Japan (March 29) in the third round of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers in the Asian region. Hopefully, Pham Xuan Manh, Nguyen Van Hoang, and Ho Khac Ngoc will once again serve the Vietnamese national team in the near future.