HAGL balances Hanoi's numbers in the national team; Thai newspaper gives Van Lam the highest score
(Baonghean.vn) - With the return of midfielder Nguyen Tuan Anh, coach Park Hang-seo has a team combining 7 players from HAGL, 7 players from Hanoi Club and the rest.
Tuan Anh is back
The captain of HAGL Club appearing in the list of 23 names participating in King's Cup 2019 is beyond the expectations of many people. Tuan Anh has just returned from injury and this can be seen as a challenge that Coach Park Hang-seo has given to the player born in 1995.
With Tuan Anh’s return, there are 7 players from HAGL, the most under Park Hang-seo. Two of them are playing abroad on loan: Luong Xuan Truong of Buriram United and Nguyen Cong Phuong of Incheon United.
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Tuan Anh helps HAGL balance the number of players in the Vietnam national team. Photo: Minh Chien. |
Vu Van Thanh also returned after more than 6 months of injury treatment in Korea. Tran Minh Vuong and Nguyen Phong Hong Duy continued to show their roles in the HAGL midfield. They helped HAGL to rank 8th on the rankings. The name that cannot be ignored is Nguyen Van Toan. He is the domestic striker with the best performance in V.league 2019 with 5 goals. Mr. Park is in need of a winger who can create breakthroughs like Van Toan.
At the 2018 AFF Cup and 2019 Asian Cup, Coach Park Hang-seo's list included 7 names from Hanoi FC. The 2018 V.League champion contributed many choices for the Korean strategist and at the peak time, there were still 7 people.
Van Lam impressed
Goalkeeper Dang Van Lam and his teammates at Muangthong United suffered their 8th defeat in the 2019 Thai League season after losing 0-1 to Buriram United at Thunder Castle Stadium.
Despite conceding his 20th goal in 12 appearances in the Thai League, Van Lam was not negatively evaluated by the Thai press in his performance against Buriram. Siam Sport of the land of golden pagodas gave Van Lam a score of 6.5 - the highest score in the losing squad of Muangthong Club.
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The efforts of one Van Lam are not enough. |
Foreign player Oh Ban-suk from South Korea and striker Korrawit Tasa both scored 6.5. Captain Teerasil Dangda continued his poor form ahead of the King's Cup, receiving a score of 5.5 after the match.
The lowest score among the away team's players was defender Suporn Peenagatapho, who made consecutive mistakes and fouled the ball during the match, forcing Van Lam to show his talent to save the goal many times.
Siam Sport wrote: "In one of Buriram's dangerous attacks in the 77th minute, Supachai Jaided crossed the ball from the left wing, but the Vietnamese national team goalkeeper remained steadfast, even when threatened by Pedro Junior."
In the 79th minute, Buriram scored a goal when Sasalak Haiprakhon's long-range shot hit Oh Ban-suk of Muangthong. The ball changed trajectory and went straight into the net, leaving Van Lam stunned and helpless.
Another player from the Vietnamese team who also participated in this match was midfielder Luong Xuan Truong. He was sent onto the field by Buriram in the 84th minute. Playing for nearly 10 minutes, the player from Tuyen Quang was not given a score by the Thai press after the match.
With the only goal that helped Buriram get 3 points at home, Xuan Truong's close friend Sasalak received the highest score of 7.5 and received the title of "best player of the match".
Aston Villa return to Premier League
Aston Villa are back in the Premier League after three years in the Championship. Last season, they lost to Fulham in the play-offs and did not repeat the disappointment a year later. The win over Derby County not only brought Aston Villa back to the Premier League but also earned them a share of $216 million for the following season.
The importance of the match made both teams play cautiously and use defensive counter-attacking style. As the first half was about to end, Aston Villa opened the scoring thanks to Anwar El Ghazi's flying header after a cross from Ahmed Elmohamady on the right wing.
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Frank Lampard (right) has not been able to bring Derby back to the Premier League. Photo: DM. |
A late attack from Frank Lampard's men saw them pull one back through Jack Marriott, who came off the bench to finish neatly inside the box after Bogle's header. But that was all Derby could muster, even in the seven minutes of added time that followed.
The final game of the English football season brought an end to Aston Villa's magical story. After narrowly missing out on promotion last season, Aston Villa's poor start to the season saw manager Steve Bruce leave in October 2018. Dean Smith took charge with the team 15th in the Championship and many had written Aston Villa off for promotion.
However, Aston Villa returned to winning ways with 10 consecutive matches. Manager Dean Smith's appointment of John Terry as assistant was considered a wise move as the Chelsea legend proved to be a leader and helped unite the dressing room. The team finished the season in fifth place, enough to make the play-offs.
In the play-off semi-finals, Aston Villa had a tough two-legged tie with West Brom. They won 2-1 at home but lost 0-1 away. Dean Smith and his team were lucky that the away goals rule was not applied and Aston Villa advanced to the final against Derby after a penalty shoot-out with a score of 4-3.
Aston Villa join Championship leaders Norwich City and Sheffield United in the Premier League next season.