Which players have the "ASIAD virus"?

It seems that only the Hanoi FC coaching staff has experience in fighting the “ASIAD virus” since the U23 Asian Cup finals earlier this year. Meanwhile, the Vietnamese Olympic players who played for HAGL, SLNA, and SHB.Da Nang did not leave any mark.

All is pale

Due to inaccurate assessment of physical condition, SLNA suffered a "double loss" when they lost 0-4 to FLC Thanh Hoa at home, Xuan Manh and Phan Van Duc were also injured.

The absence of two Vietnamese Olympic players is also one of the reasons why they continued to suffer a 0-2 defeat at Hang Day Stadium against host Hanoi FC. More worryingly, it is not known exactly when these two players will be able to return to play when there are only 5 more rounds of V-League.

HAGL's Vietnamese Olympic players are no longer playing as impressively as before the 18th ASIAD. Photo: Internet

HAGL also contributed 5 players to the Vietnam Olympic team. Except for Xuan Truong who was not registered to compete due to minor surgery, coach Duong Minh Ninh only put Van Toan and Minh Vuong in the starting lineup. Learning from SLNA's experience, HAGL's coaching staff put Van Thanh, Cong Phuong,... on the bench.

Not being physically fit and being kicked harshly by FLC Thanh Hoa players, HAGL players missed many clear scoring opportunities. Poor defense and inaccurate attack, HAGL had to accept a 0-3 loss to Thanh Hoa. Although both Van Thanh and Cong Phuong later entered the field in pain, there was nothing they could do.

At home, against XSKT Can Tho, who are at the bottom of the rankings, Ha Duc Chinh also played poorly. SHB Da Nang spectators did not see any classy moves from the striker of the Vietnam Olympic team.

Except Hanoi FC

After the U23 Asian Cup, the Hanoi FC coaching staff locked the “hero from Changzhou” Quang Hai on the bench. It took 5-6 rounds, when Quang Hai recovered his fitness and form, to be able to start. After returning from Indonesia, captain Van Quyet was also given a rest, and Thanh Luong was assigned to take charge of the match.

What was shown at Hang Day Stadium showed that this was a wise and correct decision by the Hanoi FC coaching staff. The capital team still won the V-League championship with 5 rounds to go and "veteran" Van Quyet did not fall into a "battery-out" state.

Hanoi FC's coaching staff has shown to be very experienced in fighting the "ASIAD virus". Photo: Internet

Except for Thanh Chung and Hung Dung who were injured, there were 5 players who had just returned from the ASIAD and after a physical examination were still arranged to play in the starting lineup. Of course, Hanoi FC adjusted their playing style compared to normal, midfielder Moses was arranged to play higher than usual to reduce the load on Quang Hai and Duc Huy in one-on-one battles.

The defense, including the main players in the Vietnam Olympic team, Duy Manh, Dinh Trong, and Van Hau, did not have to stretch themselves in this match because Thanh Luong did a good job of adjusting the tempo of the match.

The pressure to support the defense was not great, so the midfield of Duc Huy and Quang Hai played enthusiastically, supporting Oseni and Samson well. In the last minutes of extra time, Quang Hai created an accurate pass for Samson to score the decisive 2-0 goal of the match.

Coach Chu Dinh Nghiem was quite clever when he only sent Hoang Vu Olaleye Samson onto the field at the beginning of the second half to maintain and increase pressure on the attack to open the score.

The Vietnamese Olympic players in Hanoi FC's jersey have demonstrated their mettle, physical endurance and ability to withstand high pressure. Winning the V.League early, Hanoi FC's reserve players will be put on the field by the coaching staff, giving the players more time to prepare for the upcoming AFF Cup team gathering.