Nguyen Van Viet and the captain's armband of Song Lam Nghe An Club
(Baonghean.vn) - Many people were surprised when in the match against Hanoi FC, goalkeeper Van Viet was the reserve for his junior Cao Van Binh, but Van Viet returned with the captain's armband and helped Song Lam Nghe An have their first victory in V.League 2023/24.
Song Lam Nghe An Club just had an important victory against Hoang Anh Gia Lai in round 6 of V.League 2023/2024. In this match, goalkeeper Nguyen Van Viet surprised many people when coach Phan Nhu Thuat trusted him with the captain's armband.
After the disastrous mistakes on Thanh Hoa field, experts and football fans of Nghe An are questioning goalkeeper Van Viet. The period after that was a difficult time for the goalkeeper born in 2003 at Song Lam Nghe An. In the match against Hanoi FC, Van Viet was unexpectedly not in the starting lineup and had to give up his position to his junior Cao Van Binh.
However, in the next round, coach Phan Nhu Thuat put all his trust in Van Viet with the captain's armband. After the match, the young goalkeeper from Tan Ky shared that the captain's armband brought with it a bit of pressure and anxiety, but also pride. This also helped Van Viet regain his confidence.
“The captain’s armband on my arm brought a bit of pressure and pride. At that time, my responsibility was higher, so I had to be more determined. On the field, I shouted, encouraged everyone to fight with all their might, and boosted the spirit of my teammates. In every match, I always maintained that determination.”
Although he was at the bottom, Van Viet returned to the top in such a short time. He wore the captain's armband, made 7 consecutive saves in the match against Hoang Anh Gia Lai and kept a clean sheet, thereby directly helping Song Lam Nghe An have their first victory in V.League this season. The 20-year-old goalkeeper was also surprised by that.
“I was also very surprised. With this captain's armband, I thank coach Phan Nhu Thuat for trusting me, helping me to be more confident to look forward to the upcoming important matches. This could be a source of motivation for me to play better. In the second half, Hoang Anh Gia Lai pushed up the formation. The coaching staff also instructed that the away team would attack more. With the captain's armband in hand, I also directed and shouted to make my teammates really calm and confident, and I personally had to focus more.”
Returning to the away match at Hang Day Stadium against Hanoi FC, after learning that he had to be a substitute for his junior Cao Van Binh, Van Viet shared his feelings at that time: “Song Lam Nghe An is a young team, everyone has the same opportunity to play. Song Lam Nghe An is also a united team, so everyone who enters the field plays their best. When Binh was given the opportunity, I always encouraged him to be calm and confident, because this was the first time Binh breathed the V.League atmosphere. Binh is a goalkeeper with very good skills”.
Sharing about the requirements of coach Philippe Troussier for the goalkeepers on the Vietnam national team, Nguyen Van Viet said that he needs to improve more skills, especially his footwork.
“The Vietnamese team’s style of play is to control the ball and play short passes, so footwork is extremely important. I myself need to try to practice to improve myself, to be more suitable with the philosophy of the head coach of the Vietnamese team. I also need to improve my footwork, especially to practice concentration and confidence.”
Song Lam Nghe An Club is strongly rejuvenating its force, creating conditions for young players to play confidently and develop their full potential is necessary. Young goalkeeper Nguyen Van Viet, with the captain's armband, will be the motivation for his teammates to play with more enthusiasm and dedication in the upcoming stages.
