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, when playing for HAGL, SLNA, and SHB.Da Nang, have not left 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 lose 0-2 at Hang Day Stadium against the 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 ASIAD 18. 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 in good physical condition and being kicked harshly by FLC Thanh Hoa players, HAGL players missed many clear scoring opportunities. Defending poorly and attacking inaccurately, HAGL had to accept a 0-3 loss to Thanh Hoa. Although both Van Thanh and Cong Phuong later went on 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 kept the “hero from Changzhou” Quang Hai on the bench. It took 5-6 rounds, until 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 showed great experience in fighting the "ASIAD virus". Photo: Internet

Except for Thanh Chung and Hung Dung who were injured, there were 5 names who had just returned from the ASIAD and were still arranged to play in the starting lineup after physical examination. Of course, Hanoi FC had 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 play hard 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, providing good support for Oseni and Samson. In the final 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 brought 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 the Hanoi FC jersey have shown their mettle, physical endurance and ability to withstand high pressure. Winning the V.League early, the Hanoi FC reserve players will be put on the field by the coaching staff, the players will have more time to prepare for the upcoming AFF Cup team gathering.