Phan Van Duc: 'Overcoming the pressure to succeed for U23 Vietnam is very simple'

“After the success with U23 Vietnam, the players have a large fan base, and are welcomed and cheered on wherever they go. That makes us always wonder how to meet those expectations. It unintentionally becomes pressure, preventing many people from being able to excel in the club's colors,” Phan Van Duc shared..

While teammates like Nguyen Quang Hai, Ha Duc Chinh, Bui Tien Dung, Cong Phuong... have not found themselves, even struggling to find a place in the club, Phan Van Duc is becoming the backbone of SLNA. He has scored a total of 5 goals in the V-League, National Cup and AFC Cup. Coach Nguyen Duc Thang also admitted that his student wearing the number 20 shirt is like a breath of fresh air for SLNA at this time.

“The secret to overcoming pressure for me is not something profound. Before each match, my parents and coach always tell me that when I enter the field, I should just play comfortably, absolutely not think about the results, the fans or how to meet their expectations. Thanks to that, I can get rid of all the burden. After each match, I am exhausted but seeing the fans come from a long way to cheer, ask for autographs, and take pictures makes me happy,” Phan Van Duc added.

Phan Van Duc was not on the initial list of the Vietnam U23 team for the AFC U23 Championship. However, thanks to his good performance at the international U21 tournament, he was called up by coach Park Hang-seo. In the group stage in China, the Nghe An player was only allowed to come on as a substitute, playing a total of 70 minutes in three matches.

However, from the knockout round, Phan Van Duc was unexpectedly trusted by coach Park Hang-seo and given a starting position. He immediately shone and most impressively scored a goal against Iran in the quarter-finals.

“My goal is to score every time I enter the field. I want to perform well to be called up by coach Park Hang-seo to the national team for the AFF Cup later this year. I always dream of participating in the number one tournament in Southeast Asia for the first time. I will try to overcome the pressure, mature and become a national player,” Phan Van Duc said about his goal.

This afternoon, May 15, Phan Van Duc will be again arranged by coach Nguyen Duc Thang to play from the start in the second leg of the National Cup quarter-final – White Lion against Da Nang. In the first leg, he scored a goal, contributing to the home team’s 3-1 win at the Hoa Xuan away stadium.