What makes Vietnam team determined to win at King's Cup 2019?

Factors for seed division

Although it is just a friendly tournament, because it takes place during the FIFA Days period, the results of the matches in this tournament are counted. Among the teams participating in the tournament, the Vietnam National Team is the team most interested in the FIFA rankings, because the division of seed groups will directly affect the results of the grouping in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers in Asia.

According to the current FIFA rankings, we are ranked 16th in Asia. That means we are in the last position in the second seed group. If we do not get good results in the tournament in Thailand, the Vietnamese team can completely drop in rank and may have to fall to the third seed group. At that time, Coach Park Hang-seo's team can completely fall into a much more difficult group, the opportunity to continue to the final qualifying round can be greatly affected.

Therefore, in addition to the human factor, the Vietnamese national team needs to have the highest determination on this trip to Thailand with two goals: King of Southeast Asia and Group 2 seed in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers in Asia.

Coach Park Hang-seo watches the match between SHB Da Nang and SLNA. Photo: Lao Dong

Who will be chosen?

Because this tournament coincides with the time when U22 Vietnam plays a friendly match with U22 Malaysia, it is inevitable to have to divide the human resources. However, the best players of Vietnam football at present will still be prioritized by Coach Park Hang-seo to bring to Thailand. In particular, the framework that helped Vietnam win the AFF Cup and Asian Cup held at the end of 2018, including Dang Van Lam, Que Ngoc Hai, Duy Manh, Dinh Trong, Van Hau, Quang Hai, Cong Phuong, ... are indispensable names.

With the return of players from injury such as Xuan Manh, Tuan Anh, Van Thanh and prominent players in V.League such as Khac Ngoc, Nguyen Manh, Van Vu, etc., Coach Park Hang-seo has many more options to prepare for this tournament.

The Korean coach will probably only bring to Thailand no more than 25 names, so it is likely that no more than 2 names will be selected for each position, which will increase the competitiveness after the expected list for the tournament is announced. For example, in the right-back position, the return of Van Thanh and Xuan Manh will threaten the starting position of Trong Hoang, who has played very well in the new position discovered by coach Park Hang-seo and entrusted to him in the two tournaments AFF Cup and Asian Cup. Goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung, after making a mistake in his forgettable debut in the match between Hanoi FC and SHB Da Nang in round 10 of V.League, will likely lose his position to Nguyen Manh (SLNA) or Van Toan (Hai Phong).

Goalkeeper Nguyen Manh has many opportunities to return to the Vietnam national team. Photo: VNP

Currently, the list of players called up to prepare for the King's Cup has not been announced yet, but Coach Park Hang-seo has already made his own choices. The players he has his eye on are also preparing the best to be able to win a position with the Vietnam National Team to be ready to fight the Thai National Team at the King's Cup 2019.