New face for Vietnam football team?

After the 30th SEA Games, in addition to the championship, it seems that Mr. Park has seen new faces that are expected to soon appear in the main lineup of the national team. Those are central defender Thanh Chung, midfielders Duc Chien, Hoang Duc and striker Duc Chinh.

No new faces

Thanh Chung and Tien Linh are the faces that continue to assert themselves. Photo: AT

It is hoped that these faces will continue to be affirmed at the 2020 AFC U23 Championship, along with the return of Trong Hung after injury. In the group stage, Mr. Park used 17/23 players, 6 players were not allowed to play, including 2 goalkeepers Van Toan, Y Eli Niê, midfielders Bui Tien Dung, Trieu Viet Hung, Huu Thang, and striker Nham Manh Dung.

What is quite worrying is that in the list of players who will not be able to play, Van Toan, Y Eli Niê, Nham Manh Dung, Huu Thang (and Bao Toan) are the ones who are old enough to play in SEA Games 31. Will they have the opportunity to try their hand at improving their skills and experience when they return to their clubs?

In the list of 23 players going to Thailand, only 3 players played the full 270 minutes of the first 3 matches: goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung, defender Thanh Chung, Quang Hai. Of which, Thanh Chung was arranged to play in 2 positions in the 3-center defense while captain Quang Hai played 3 positions, Tien Linh in the match against U23 UAE entered the field in the 89th minute, considered to have played all 3 matches.

Of the 3 players who played the full 270 minutes, goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung "repeated" his personal mistake leading to a goal, opening the way for the U23 North Korea comeback. Quang Hai was only considered to have played a good role, because his physical strength was not strong enough to take on many roles, and he lacked the support of his teammates, so his ability to escape pressing was not as good as when playing for the national team.

Affirmation of Thanh Chung and Tien Linh

If in the 2018 U23 Asian Cup, we had Van Duc and Xuan Manh, this time we still haven't seen any new faces that promise to have a place in the national team. Photo: AT

Tien Linh is the only player to score a goal at the 2020 AFC U23 Championship. After Anh Duc's departure, Tien Linh is currently the center forward for both the national team and the U23 Vietnam team. In general, Tien Linh has basically completed his mission, the back line did not provide enough balls so this number 22 did not have many opportunities.

Thanh Chung is the most outstanding face at the U23 Asian Cup. In addition to the long pass that initiated the attack leading to Tien Linh's goal, this center-back also regularly joined the attack. Playing center-back in the middle of the defense or on the left, Thanh Chung always showed his ability to cover the area.

Perhaps there has never been a tournament where Mr. Park had to work as hard as this. In 3 matches, the Korean coach had to use 3 different formations, and during the match, he had to rotate the formation back and forth, switching players from right to left, from top to bottom... but was never satisfied.

After the injury, Dinh Trong was put on the field. If he was a reserve in the 2 matches, then in the 3rd match against U23 North Korea, this central defender started the match. Although he has not returned to 100% form, Dinh Trong showed his technical qualities, worthy of returning to the team.

Still "savings"

Duc Chien and Duc Chinh showed their potential at SEA Games 30, but in the continental arena, both of their marks were less clear. To have a place in the national team, both of them have to make a lot of effort, especially center back Duc Chien. Getting into the defense and midfield of the national team at this time is extremely difficult.

Both Hoang Duc and Trong Hung have been called up to the national team. Hoang Duc has yet to find an official position in either the attacking midfielder or central midfielder positions in Thailand. Meanwhile, after his injury, Trong Hung has become obscure, lacking the necessary coolness of a national team player.

Players Tan Tai, Thanh Thinh, Thanh Son, Tan Sinh, Viet Anh still have a large gap with the senior players in the national team. Viewers still have the feeling that these players have not yet adapted to the team's 3-defender formation and have to be put on the "reserved" list.

If in the 2018 U23 Asian Cup, we had Van Duc and Xuan Manh, this time we still haven't seen any new faces promising a place in the national team.