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 who are expected to soon appear in the main lineup of the national team. They 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 confirmed 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 improve their skills and experience when they return to their clubs?

In the list of 23 players going to Thailand, only 3 players played all 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 in 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 three 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 an average 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 promising a place in the national team. Photo: AT

Tien Linh is the only player to score 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. According to the general assessment, 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 launched the attack leading to Tien Linh's goal, this central defender also regularly joined the attack. Playing as a central defender in the middle of the defense or on the left, Thanh Chung always showed his ability to cover the whole 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 lineups, and during the match, he had to rotate the lineup 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 national team.

Still "savings"

Duc Chien and Duc Chinh showed their potential at the 30th SEA Games, but in the continental arena, both players' impressions were less clear. To have a place in the national team, both players must 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 still has no official position in either the attacking midfielder or central midfielder positions in Thailand. Meanwhile, after the injury, Trong Hung has become pale, 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 been put on the "reserve" 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.