Does Que Ngoc Hai need to rely on Coach Park?

An Thanh• May 20, 2019 18:00

(Baonghean.vn) - The arrival of Que Ngoc Hai has not strengthened the defense of the newly promoted Viettel team; on the contrary, this center-back is causing headaches for coach Lee Heung-sil. Even coach Park Hang-seo is extremely hesitant when it comes to this defender from Nghe An province.

It's unclear what coach Park Hang-seo did to transform a center-back with a "tough and aggressive" playing style into a leader of the defense, helping the Vietnamese national team win the 2018 AFF Cup and make a strong impression at the 2019 Asian Cup.

Expectations for a blockbuster

Que Ngoc Hai in Viettel's jersey. Photo: VPF

Despite their best efforts, SLNA couldn't find enough funds to retain their national team captain and central defender. Meanwhile, Viettel, dubbed the "rich kid" of V.League, spared no expense in acquiring the formidable trio of Ngoc Hai, Trong Hoang, and Minh Tuan to form their core for the season. With an 8 billion VND contract for three seasons, paid in a lump sum, Ngoc Hai became a "blockbuster" signing in this year's domestic transfer market. Viettel's management even generously gave the vice-captain's armband to the number 3 defender.

When he returned to play for Viettel, after 10 rounds of the 2019 V-League, Ngoc Hai had only played in 5 matches. The reason for his limited playing time was two suspensions. First, a red card on the Hoa Xuan stadium in the opening match, and then an internal Viettel disciplinary action after Ngoc Hai committed a foul that injured Van Kien of Hanoi FC, before the decision was made: "A fine of 20 million VND and a 4-match suspension in the 2019 National Professional Football Leagues for player Que Ngoc Hai (number 3) of Viettel Club for intentionally assaulting player Tran Van Kien (number 13) of Hanoi FC at Hang Day Stadium, Hanoi."

Que Ngoc Hai has repeatedly received penalties while playing for Viettel. Photo: Dung Nguyen

Surprisingly, Viettel's performance was better when Que Ngoc Hai was absent than when he was present. In the 5 matches he missed, Viettel won 3, lost 2, and earned 9 points. Meanwhile, in the 5 matches where Que Ngoc Hai started, Viettel lost 4 and drew 1, earning only 1 point. In the match where Que Ngoc Hai wore the captain's armband instead of Tien Dung, Viettel lost 3-0, including a penalty goal from a handball by the player himself.

In the broader picture, in the 5 matches where Ngoc Hai started, the Viettel newcomer conceded 11 goals, an average of 2.2 goals per game. Coach Lee Heung-sil has experimented with Ngoc Hai in both center-back and central midfield positions, but neither has been as successful as expected.

It's impossible to blame Ngoc Hai entirely, because it seems the entire Viettel system played quite poorly. Defenders Gustavo, Bui Tien Dung, Nguyen Trong Dai, and Van Thiet were playing individually, without much support or cover for each other, resulting in them only keeping a clean sheet in 2 out of 10 matches.

Great disappointment

Que Ngoc Hai experienced bad luck at the start of the 2019 season while playing for Viettel. Photo: Tran Tien

Despite spending a considerable amount of money, Que Ngoc Hai has yet to demonstrate the true level of national-level performance, becoming a pillar of Viettel's defense and leading his younger teammates. Viettel fans expect to see accurate long passes, powerful free kicks, and alert interceptions, not pointless arguments with the referee or the aggressive, intimidating style of play often seen on Vietnamese football pitches.

The pressure of joining a new club has prevented a 26-year-old player with many years of experience in Vietnamese football from performing well. Two red cards are too many for a national-level center-back like Que Ngoc Hai, making him a "flop" at the start of the season.

Whether this number 3 center-back will be called up to the national team for the 2019 King's Cup or the 2022 World Cup qualifiers remains a big question. Most players who perform well are selected for the national team. Perhaps Ngoc Hai's success is solely due to Coach Park's guidance. Many experts believe that with such inconsistent performances, it wouldn't be surprising if Que Ngoc Hai lost his position to younger players.

An Thanh