Ho Phuc Tinh - A suggestion for Coach Nguyen Huu Thang

(Baonghean.vn) - The Vietnamese national team is currently lacking a true center forward after Le Cong Vinh decided to retire at the end of 2016. For some time now, coach Nguyen Huu Thang has been struggling to answer the question: Who is capable of taking on the leading role in the Vietnamese national team's attack? And Ho Phuc Tinh is a promising suggestion.

In the second leg of the National Cup quarter-final between Ho Chi Minh City FC and SLNA, striker Ho Phuc Tinh of the Nghe An team delivered an outstanding performance, contributing to SLNA's 4-0 victory and securing their place in the semi-finals. The 1994-born striker was one of the most impressive players on the Thong Nhat Stadium pitch in the match, alongside Tran Phi Son, Olaha, and Que Ngoc Hai.

Continuing to receive the trust of the SLNA coaching staff, Ho Phuc Tinh started in the lineup as the main striker. It only took 16 minutes for the player wearing number 18 to prove his killer instinct by scoring the opening goal of the match.

A clever run to evade a home team defender, receiving a delicate pass from teammate Olaha, and finishing neatly with his weaker left foot, leaving goalkeeper Dinh Xuan Viet with no choice but to pick the ball out of the net.

Striker Ho Phuc Tinh is in excellent form recently. Photo: Internet.

This was Ho Phuc Tinh's second consecutive goal, both opening the scoring against Ho Chi Minh City FC. In the first leg match between the two teams at Vinh Stadium on June 16th, the striker from Quynh Luu also scored the opening goal against goalkeeper Esele.

Thus, up to this point in the National Cup competition, Ho Phuc Tinh has scored a total of 3 goals for the Nghe An team. This is a very commendable achievement for a player who has just returned after a series of injuries over the past 3 years.

Not only did Ho Phuc Tinh perform well in scoring goals, but he also contributed significantly to SLNA's overall gameplay. The goal that increased the score to 2-0 for the Nghe An team was scored by midfielder Dau Thanh Phong, with Ho Phuc Tinh again playing the role of the assist provider.

Receiving the ball from Ho Khac Ngoc on the right wing, the player from Quynh Luu dribbled a few more steps before passing it to his teammate Dau Thanh Phong, who was waiting in an open position, and goalkeeper Dinh Xuan Viet's net was shaken for the second time.

Another notable contribution from Ho Phuc Tinh in the match at Thong Nhat Stadium was in Que Ngoc Hai's goal that extended the lead to 3-0. In the situation where the number 4 defender took a free kick, Ho Phuc Tinh cleverly rushed in, feigning a move that disoriented goalkeeper Dinh Xuan Viet, leaving him unable to save the goal. This play showcased the cunning of the 23-year-old striker.

Furthermore, Ho Phuc Tinh's ability to move constantly over a wide area caused many difficulties for the home team's defense. The central defensive duo of Phuoc Vinh and Dang Van Robert had to work extremely hard against the agility, strength, and intelligence of the striker wearing number 18 for SLNA.

With a fairly standard physique (1.76m tall, 70kg), Ho Phuc Tinh excels in his ability to run, hold off defenders, and win aerial duels. Possessing basic individual technique also contributes to the striker from Quynh Luu's confidence amidst a crowd of opposing players.

Coach Nguyen Huu Thang will pay special attention to the progress of his compatriot striker. Photo: Internet.

Based on the evidence above, we can affirm that Ho Phuc Tinh is rediscovering the excellent qualities of a top striker (sharp finishing, intelligent movement, creating opportunities for teammates to shine...).

Similar to what the player born in 1994 demonstrated at the 2014 Thanh Nien Newspaper U21 Championship, where he won both the "Top Scorer" (5 goals) and "Best Player" awards, Ho Phuc Tinh promises to become a top-class striker if given regular playing opportunities in the future.

Coach Nguyen Huu Thang must be secretly delighted to witness the noticeable progress of striker Ho Phuc Tinh. The wrinkles on the face of the strategist born in 1972 have smoothed out considerably after his concerns about the center forward position in the Vietnamese national team.

Thanh Hung