Will the Vietnam U23 team be assembled for the AFC U23 Asian Championship?
(Baonghean.vn) - The absence of key players from the U22 Vietnam team that just won a historic SEA Games gold medal forces coach Park Hang-seo to find a new lineup for the campaign to defend their runner-up position at the 2020 AFC U23 Championship.
At the upcoming U23 Asian Championship in Thailand, Hung Dung and Trong Hoang will be unable to participate due to being overage. Meanwhile, Van Hau has decided to stay at Heerenveen and strive to prove himself in order to earn a starting spot.
Without Hung Dung, Trong Hoang, and Van Hau, the South Korean strategist is forced to make new calculations to find a stable lineup for the Vietnam U23 team at the tournament held in Thailand next January. The core of the Vietnam U23 team will likely remain the same lineup that performed successfully at the SEA Games 30.
The defense is awaiting the return of Dinh Trong.
Following the conclusion of the SEA Games 30, the Vietnam U23 team was reinforced with 10 additional players to participate in a training camp in South Korea in preparation for the 2020 AFC U23 Championship. Notably, this included the return of central defender Dinh Trong.
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| Vietnam U23 welcomes the return of central defender Dinh Trong. Photo: VNExpress. |
With the familiar three-center-back formation, playing alongside Dinh Trong will most likely be Thanh Chung and Tan Sinh, two young center-backs who had impressive performances at the recent SEA Games. On the flanks, without Trong Hoang and Van Hau, opportunities will be available for Ho Tan Tai and Thanh Thinh.
Hoang Duc will be the heart and soul of the midfield.
With Hung Dung absent, coach Park Hang-seo now places his full trust in Hoang Duc, who possesses the qualities to fill the role of his senior teammate. With a modern footballing mindset, the ability to handle the ball smoothly, and the capacity to unleash shots from outside the penalty area when needed, Hoang Duc is also ready to deliver deadly passes, as seen in his assist for Doan Van Hau's third goal in the SEA Games 30 final. Hoang Duc will be the key player in controlling the tempo alongside Duc Chien, who plays aggressively and isn't afraid of physical contact thanks to his impressive physique and stamina.
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| Hoang Duc will replace Hung Dung in the Vietnam U23 team. (Photo: Zing.vn) |
Will the attack feature two strikers?
Having previously achieved great success with the 3-4-3 formation featuring three forwards, the Vietnam U22 team proved even more successful at the recent SEA Games by using the striker pairing of Tien Linh and Duc Chinh in a 5-3-2 formation.
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| Will Coach Park continue to use both Duc Chinh and Tien Linh in the attacking line? Photo: BD+ |
With Coach Park's tactical prowess, Vietnamese fans will likely continue to witness surprises in his tactical approach. However, if the SEA Games serve as a perfect rehearsal, then the U22 Vietnam players are probably still the optimal choice, aside from the presence of center-back Dinh Trong.
