Trust Ho Tuan Tai!

I still vividly remember my first meeting with Tuan Tai at a roadside tea stall on Tran Phu Street, after his outstanding performance at the 2014 Southeast Asian U22 Championship.

When asked, "What motivates Tài to perform so brilliantly?", the handsome striker humbly replied, "What I've shown in the U19 jersey is just the beginning. I don't dare consider it a triumph or a success. It's just the start, and for my mother, and for my father's wishes when he was alive, I will try even harder."

It seemed as though Van Quyen's cousin would succeed after the boost from the youth tournaments. It seemed as though Tuan Tai's talent would have a chance to shine after catching the eye of coach Miura and coach Nguyen Huu Thang in the national team.

Ho Tuan Tai was once highly regarded while playing for the Vietnam U19 team. Photo: Internet

Sadly, what this striker received over the past four years did not live up to his own wishes and the expectations of many. The nickname "killer," the title "Top Scorer," or the image of a speedy, clinical finisher like Tuan Tai... seem to be only fond memories remaining in the hearts of his fans.

Van Quyen's cousin's talent didn't have a chance to flourish as he was merely a "substitute" for foreign players at SLNA. Coupled with injuries, Tai often had to warm the bench at SLNA.

Therefore, Tuan Tai became a big question mark on the list of players participating in the 29th SEA Games for the Vietnam U22 team. And then, the inexplicably missed opportunities in the match against Indonesia led to much criticism from the public and a lot of backlash from netizens.

The striker from Nghe An wrote a letter of apology, affirming his commitment to self-improvement and his determination to correct his mistakes. But in football, when faced with adversity, few possess the resilience to rediscover themselves and regain the fans' trust. It seemed that the player born in 1995 would continue to struggle in the SLNA jersey.

His melancholic gaze on the bench, his heavy, leaden steps during training sessions, and his lackluster performances when given the chance to play… all these things left Tuan Tai's fans feeling regretful for a talent that blossomed early but was at risk of fading just as quickly.

Fortunately, that worst-case scenario didn't happen, as the "killer" instinct of Van Quyen's cousin is showing signs of resurgence. When Ho Phuc Tinh and then Osmar Moreira successively joined the injury list, Tuan Tai was given a prominent role by coach Duc Thang.

Only with regular playing time will Tuan Tai have the opportunity to "mature". (Photo: Archival image)

He repaid that trust with a goal that sealed a 2-1 victory for SLNA against Tampines Rovers. More recently, the striker continued to shine in the AFC Cup with a powerful header to equalize the score at 2-2 for SLNA in their away match against Johor DT, Malaysia.

Earlier, in Round 5 of the 2018 V-League, the "substitute" for Osmar made people remember him with a coolly executed volley in his signature style. That goal ignited a six-goal chase in the match at Can Tho's home ground. In that game, Tuan Tai not only excelled offensively but also provided excellent defensive support, especially with a crucial goal-line save in the 38th minute.

It's fair to say that three goals isn't a lot for a striker, but it's enough to give fans hope that the once-powerful and effective Tuan Tai will return. The important thing now is that he needs more opportunities to play, to gain more motivation, and to hone his skills in real matches.

It is believed that once Tuan Tai regains his form, his inherent goal-scoring instincts will be revived even more strongly. Therefore, instead of just viewing Van Quyen's cousin as a "substitute" for the foreign players, the SLNA coaching staff should trust and utilize him. This is not a temporary solution but a long-term one given the limited financial resources.