Vietnam national team's defense "asks for advice" from senior Nhu Thanh before the match against the Philippines

At the AFF Cup 2018, Coach Park Hang-seo selected the best central defenders of Vietnamese football, Que Ngoc Hai, Do Duy Manh, Bui Tien Dung, Tran Dinh Trong and Luc Xuan Hung. Of which, Ngoc Hai – Duy Manh and Dinh Trong are the trio that often play as starters.

Vietnam national football team is facing a great opportunity to enter the final of AFF Cup 2018 thanks to a 2-1 victory right on the field of the Philippines. This afternoon, when returning to My Dinh, coach Park Hang-seo and his team need to keep a clean sheet to play the final match. Therefore, the role of the defense is extremely important. Currently, Vietnam national football team has only conceded one goal but our defense must be very careful.

The Vietnamese national team's central defenders really need advice from their seniors to improve. Photo: TK

On the morning of December 5, steel central defenders such as Que Ngoc Hai, Bui Tien Dung and Tran Dinh Trong had a meeting with former players Dang Phuong Nam and Vu Nhu Thanh outside La Thanh Hotel. This meeting will be very helpful for the young defenders of the team because coach Phuong Nam used to be the assistant head coach of the national team and Vu Nhu Thanh was a steel central defender of the Vietnam team in the 2008 AFF Cup championship.

From a professional perspective, coach Phuong Nam and center-back Nhu Thanh analyzed the reasons for the loss in the first leg of the semi-final: “First of all, it was the Philippines, who organized a good and precise attack. The whole team lost focus in the extra minutes, leading to laxity in the throw-in defense. Blocking midfielder Duc Huy did not closely mark player Schrock.

In that situation, center back Duy Manh moved to the sideline and was then passed. Doan Van Hau lost focus, allowing Rechelt to pass him and return slowly. And it is also difficult to blame Que Ngoc Hai in this situation, Hai could have dropped down to catch the cross but it was really difficult and too risky because Phil's cross was too good.

Anyway, it is also a good opportunity for the Vietnam national team to learn from experience. The key is concentration, if we concentrate highly, it will not lead to mistakes of the whole system."

Vietnam national football team is ready to welcome the Philippines this afternoon at My Dinh Stadium. Photo: TK

In addition, the former center-back of the Vietnam national team recently commented on young center-back Dinh Trong: "Dinh Trong is a promising player, whose future will be confirmed at all levels. Trong has an extremely good physical foundation. Playing in the center-back position, his technique is very impressive. In addition, Trong has the ability to control space and always makes reasonable calculations in situations of cutting in..."

Analyzing Dinh Trong's ability to play in many positions on the field, the 2008 AFF Cup champion said: "I think Trong is capable of playing in many different positions because he plays very well in all positions. In fact, the Vietnam national team also has many players who are capable of playing in many positions like Van Hau or Trong Hoang who can play both as a full-back and a winger.

But basically, I think that no matter what position Dinh Trong plays, he will complete his task well. If he has to play in other positions, it is just a temporary solution, but in my opinion, in this tournament, coach Park Hang-seo will not use Trong in other positions."

Philippines coach compares AFF Cup atmosphere to UEFA Champions League

(Baonghean.vn) - At the press conference this afternoon (December 5) before the second leg of the AFF Cup 2018 semi-final, Coach Park Hang-seo was full of confidence. Meanwhile, Coach Eriksson expressed surprise at the interest of the Vietnamese and regional media in this tournament.