U23 Vietnam star goes downhill, coach Park is as tense as a bowstring
Coach Park Hang Seo could not smile when half of the U23 Vietnam team in HAGL's shirt played poorly, struggling in the V-League, most recently losing 1-3 at Thong Nhat Stadium, against the home team Saigon FC...
When the root wins... defeat
It must be said that the achievement of U23 Vietnam at the U23 Asian Cup not long ago was greatly contributed by the HAGL players, who made up half of the team in the hands of coach Park Hang Seo. And because of this, coach Park traveled all the way to the mountain town to thank Mr. Duc in the most respectful way.
However, in just a short time, what was left of that half of the squad was no longer much, when Coach Park's favorite students played very badly in V-League 2018. HAGL's latest defeat against Saigon FC clearly showed that.
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| The U23 Vietnam players at HAGL were no longer themselves when they returned to V-League. Photo: Quy Quy |
Almost no one, including coach Park – who has been present in most of HAGL's matches this season – can recognize Cong Phuong – the player who scored important goals for U23 Vietnam, when he returned to V-League.
Cong Phuong appeared heavy, slow and of course still played football in the most instinctive way possible, despite the fact that many of his teammates at HAGL changed their playing style to better suit the fierce tournament like V-League. Seeing the Nghe An striker perform in matches with the presence of Coach Park is clearly disappointing.
Not only Cong Phuong, the players from U23 Vietnam who returned to HAGL are no longer the same as before, becoming endless disappointments for the fans of the mountain town team. And perhaps, the one who can save the reputation of U23 Vietnam from the mountain town team is only Xuan Truong...
...does Mr. Park have a headache?
Obviously, with many years of experience as a coach, the captain of the Vietnam team fully understands that good results or good performance in youth tournaments will be different from when returning to play in the V-League. But clearly, what is happening is really giving him a headache.
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| Cong Phuong's performance is also quite alarming. Photo: Quy Quy |
It is hard not to have a headache when the Asian Games will take place in a few months and Cong Phuong, Van Thanh, Xuan Truong... will continue to be the core of the Vietnam Olympic team "fighting" with other opponents of the same age in the largest sports event in the continent in a situation where all teams have to be wary of Coach Park Hang Seo and his team.
It is impossible not to have a headache when the future goals of Vietnamese football in general and of the Korean captain in particular are placed on the shoulders of the names who just collapsed on the field in disappointment in the recent 5th round of V-League at Thong Nhat.
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| It is difficult for coach Park Hang Seo not to have a headache. Photo: Quy Quy |
We have to think even more, as this is certainly not the last defeat that Coach Park's "half of U23 Vietnam" has to accept, as ahead are a series of opponents much more difficult than Saigon FC, and the future will be even more fierce.
Simply put, being "beaten up" by their seniors in the V-League will clearly put Cong Phuong, Van Thanh or Xuan Truong in a really difficult position, which is very different from their teammates in the U23 Vietnam team like Quang Hai, Duy Manh because they don't have to push themselves to play football...
Seeing his support so precarious, it would be strange if Coach Park didn't have a headache!