Pham Xuan Manh - The new 'man with no lungs' in the Vietnamese national team.

"The man without lungs"

The nickname "the man with no lungs" was once given to the notorious right-back of the Vietnamese national team, Trong Hoang. With his tenacious playing style, seamless transitions between attack and defense, and immense strength, Trong Hoang struck fear into the hearts of many opposing defenses. He played a significant role in Vietnam's 2018 World Cup victory.

And now, after the "Golden Star Warriors" won the ASEAN Cup 2024, the phrase "men with no lungs" is being mentioned again. This time, that affectionate nickname is forPham Xuan Manh.

Indeed, Pham Xuan Manh left an indelible impression on fans during the Vietnamese national team's journey to the championship at the 2024 ASEAN Cup.

During that journey, Pham Xuan Manh was deployed in various positions by coach Kim Sang-sik, sometimes as a right-back, left-back, and sometimes as a right-sided center-back. Remarkably, in every position, the player born in 1996 left a strong impression. With his excellent physical condition, fearlessness in tackles, intelligent play, and tenacious commitment, Xuan Manh became a nightmare for many opponents.

Recalling the second leg of the 2024 ASEAN Cup final, after Vietnam equalized 2-2, the Thai team exerted tremendous pressure on Dinh Trieu's goal. In the 85th minute, the home team made a dangerous pass into the Vietnamese penalty area. Xuan Manh, with his enduring stamina, made an incredible stretch to clear the ball with the tip of his boot, denying Thailand a scoring opportunity.

Following that successful save, Xuan Manh received continuous applause from the audience. And it was from this spectacular save that the Vietnamese team later scored another goal, ultimately winning the championship in Thailand.

Statistics from the 2024 ASEAN Cup show that Xuan Manh played in 6 matches, totaling 531 minutes on the field. This demonstrates the 28-year-old defender's crucial role in coach Kim Sang-sik's tactics. Even in the final moments, Xuan Manh consistently displayed abundant energy, showing no signs of fatigue. This was a key factor in the Vietnamese national team's defensive solidity, ultimately leading to victory in the tournament.

It can be affirmed that Xuan Manh has rightfully inherited the nickname "the man with no lungs" from former national team player Trong Hoang. The defender from Yen Thanh is the unsung hero in the championship that the Vietnamese national team won at the 2024 ASEAN Cup. With his inner strength, willpower, and perseverance, hopefully Xuan Manh will continue to write the story of the "man with no lungs" in the future with the Vietnamese national team.

The will to overcome difficulties

Behind the spotlight that Xuan Manh enjoys, few know that he experienced a childhood full of hardship. His father once had to sell buffaloes to pay for his son to pursue a career in football.

That's what gave Xuan Manh extraordinary willpower in training and competition. The defender from Yen Thanh was once used as a role model by coaches at the Nghe An youth football academy to teach their students. The coaches said that it's rare to find a player with such determination and willpower as Xuan Manh. When each training session ended, while his peers quickly left the field, Xuan Manh stayed behind, practicing his techniques and improving his physical fitness.

And it was that determination that helped Xuan Manh overcome obstacles to create a miracle in Changzhou. However, after this tournament, Xuan Manh suffered an injury and lost the opportunity to join the national team.

After that, Xuan Manh failed to demonstrate his importance in the eyes of coaches Park Hang-seo and Troussie. This was also the moment when Xuan Manh rediscovered himself. He proved his determination and perseverance in training and competition. In the 2024 season, Xuan Manh was considered the most influential player at Song Lam Nghe An Club.

This is also the key reason why Hanoi FC wants to secure the signature of the defender from Yen Thanh. Throughout the 2024/25 season, Xuan Manh has had outstanding performances for the capital city team. This has convinced coach Kim Sang-sik, leading to his inclusion in the Vietnam national team's squad for the 2024 ASEAN Cup.

This return to the national team has been a real success for Xuan Manh. Only his determination, perseverance, and seriousness in training and daily life could have brought him such sweet results.

Duc Anh