V.League Round 8: Coach Hoang Van Phuc on high alert for Phan Van Duc
(Baonghean.vn) - Coach Hoang Van Phuc said that Quang Nam will pay special attention to the U23 Vietnam midfielder when they host SLNA in round 8 of the V.League this weekend.
In the return match of the 2017 V.League season at Tam Ky Stadium, SLNA scored the opening goal and took the lead twice, but Quang Nam managed to bring the match to a dramatic 3-3 draw.
| HIGHLIGHT | QUANG NAM vs SONG LAM NGHE AN | ROUND 15 V.LEAGUE 2017. Video: VPF |
After that match, coach Hoang Van Phuc admitted: "SLNA losing points because they only played with one foreign player is only part of the reason. As I said, SLNA are trained in the same academy, with good and consistent technique. Although Olaha didn't score, he provided excellent support in both defense and attack and was an effective link. We also wanted to make the most of our squad with two foreign players and one naturalized player because the domestic players in Quang Nam are not evenly matched."
This year, both SLNA and Quang Nam are in a difficult position as they desperately need points to escape the bottom of the V.League table. Coach Hoang Van Phuc shared: "SLNA is currently second to last in the V.League standings, but they cannot be underestimated. This team has a very high fighting spirit and possesses many talented young players who are showing signs of hitting their stride. A prime example is Phan Van Duc."
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| Midfielder Phan Văn Đức is currently in excellent form. (Photo: Archival image) |
While many of his teammates in the Vietnam U23 team have yet to rediscover their form after winning the Asian Silver Medal due to pressure, Phan Van Duc is shining at SLNA. The midfielder is regularly included in the starting lineup by coach Nguyen Duc Thang and has scored 6 goals in the National Cup, V.League, and AFC Cup.
Recently, Phan Văn Đức scored in both quarter-final matches of the National Cup, helping SLNA overcome Da Nang to advance to the semi-finals. Despite being eliminated from the National Cup by SLNA, SHB Da Nang's coach Minh Phương also praised the performance of the young SLNA midfielder.
“Returning after his success with the Vietnam U23 team, Phan Van Duc is much more confident and plays dangerously. His strengths are speed and positioning. Phan Van Duc is even more dangerous when playing alongside midfielder Ho Khac Ngoc, who possesses accurate passing skills, and striker Ho Tuan Tai, who is in excellent form and scored three goals in two quarter-final matches of the National Cup,” Coach Hoang Van Phuc analyzed.
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| Coach Hoang Van Phuc. Photo: Trung Kien |
Quang Nam are the reigning V.League champions. However, they have had a poor start to the season, with only 8 points after 7 matches. SLNA are also struggling, sitting second to last in the table with 6 points. The two teams will clash at Tam Ky Stadium on May 20th.
“Many people say that Quang Nam had an advantage in terms of physical fitness because they didn't play in the National Cup recently. In reality, that's not a very clear advantage. SLNA beat Da Nang 3-1 right at Hoa Xuan Stadium, so in the return match on May 15th, they played more comfortably, still conserving their players and energy. I believe the team from Nghe An has just as much physical fitness as us,” added coach Hoang Van Phuc.
Phan Văn Đức's impressive performances in the AFC Cup and V.League 2018.
(Baonghean.vn) - With 3 goals in the V.League and 1 crucial goal in the 2018 AFC Cup while playing for Song Lam Nghe An so far, it can be said that among the players returning from the U23 Asian Championship, Phan Van Duc is the star with the most outstanding performance.