Phan Van Duc 'rekindles' the image of Thuong Chau?

The last time the midfielder from Nghe An wore the shirt ofVietnam teamis the match against the Japanese team on January 24, 2019 in the AFC Asian Cup, playing on the same wing as Van Hau. The first 5 matches of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, Van Duc was absent due to being tormented by injury.

Adhere to tactical intent

Returning to the field at V.League 2021, without much support from the satellites, Van Duc still scored 6 goals for SLNA, among the top scorers of the tournament. For coach Park Hang-seo, this number 20 is considered the most dangerous player on the left wing because of his simple but extremely effective playing style. Van Duc is considered one of the few midfielders on the Vietnamese football field who combines the elements of speed, technique, and creativity. In many interviews with the press, the Korean coach always highly appreciated and looked forward to the return of this favorite student.

Van Duc had 61 minutes of good play at Ai Maktoum Stadium. Photo: VFF

In the match against Indonesia, Van Duc and Van Toan were two wingers. Van Duc played on the same wing as Hong Duy, a player from HAGL. Opposite Van Toan and Van Thanh controlled the right wing of the team in the 3-4-3 formation. Coach Park's intention for Van Duc was very clear, to stick high to prevent Indonesia's captain Dimas from advancing, creating space for Tien Linh and Van Toan to disturb the goal. In a match, not every player has the responsibility to rush forward to score.

In the first half, when the opponent defended in large numbers and had a narrow range of activities, Van Duc still had a few moves past the opponent's right-back Bahar. Although not explosive, Van Duc basically completed his professional task, even though it was the first time he played with Hong Duy on the left wing. Not as graceful and delicate as Tuan Anh, not as fast as Van Toan, nor as cunning as Quang Hai, the Nghe An boy with his on-ball ability (fast, accurate) still made coach Shin Tae-Yong replace both of these wingers on the field.

Rekindling the image of Changzhou

People have begun to see Van Duc somewhat recreate the image of Thuong Chau in the past. Photo: VFF.

After the first half when Van Toan left the field, Coach Park's versatile player was transferred to this wing, viewers saw many unexpected overlapping situations of the Vietnamese team. The duo Van Thanh and Van Duc performed short coordination, short-range attacks quite well, with high unexpectedness.

Without sharp passes like Xuan Truong, not present at hot spots like Que Ngoc Hai, not scoring goals like teammates Tien Linh, Quang Hai, Cong Phuong and Van Thanh, Van Duc had 61 minutes of good play at Ai Maktoum Stadium. There are still 2 matches in UAE, so coach Park does not want to show all his moves to the opponent.

But for those who follow the 25-year-old player's performance, it is clear that Van Duc's moments of bending down, lowering his center of gravity, then suddenly accelerating and changing direction are still very necessary for the team. Especially when Van Hau, the player playing on the same wing as Van Duc, returns to play, the Nghe An boy will have another teammate with whom he can play well together.

Nghe An audiences have just witnessed central defender Que Ngoc Hai having a brilliant day of playing at Ai Maktoum Stadium and are full of hope that it will be Van Duc's turn to regain his form in the team's next two matches.

People have begun to see Phan Van Duc recreate part of the image of Thuong Chau in the past.