What can U23 Vietnam do when returning to their clubs?

First of all, goalkeeper Van Toan, who started without conceding any goals in the 31st SEA Games and the opening match against U23 Thailand (but with a sad "incident" leading to injury and having to rest afterwards), when returning to Hai Phong Club, will he be able to secure a place as usual in the port city team? It is impossible to say in advance whether this goalkeeper's path back to the Vietnam National Team will be questioned, but with Hai Phong Club, he is likely to still have the full trust of the coaching staff and teammates.

This weekend, when Hai Phong plays round 5 against Saigon FC at Lach Tray, everything will be clear. Meanwhile, Van Chuan has improved quite a bit after being assigned to the U23 Asian Cup, and has just been named in the Hanoi FC squad for the make-up round 3 against Nam Dinh, but will definitely be fixed at the second reserve position behind Van Cong and Tan Truong.

U23 Vietnam.

In defense, while Thanh Binh continuously played in Viettel's squad in the AFC Cup 2022, Viet Anh and Tien Long (injured) were given a break in the match between Hanoi FC and Nam Dinh mentioned above. Van Do also played from the start in the match in V-League 2-2022, Pho Hien met the People's Public Security (CAND), but sadly, this star received a red card very early after a tackle that was considered rough on the opponent. Among the main stars of U23 when returning to the club, there were Manh Dung and Danh Trung of Viettel, who went from being a reserve in the first match to starting in the second match in the AFC Cup. Manh Dung scored 1 goal but then did not really play outstandingly, while Danh Trung did not show anything outstanding despite being highly expected when playing against an opponent of equal strength.

Also in V-League 2-2022, in the match where Van Do received a red card, midfielder Cong Den (Pho Hien) scored a goal to equalize 1-1 for the home team after losing a man and taking the lead. Meanwhile, striker Minh Binh of CAND did not contribute to the away team's 2 opening goals and did not help the home team take advantage, instead, they were unfortunately tied 2-2. At the same time, Dak Lak Club of defender Tuan Tai with "one swallow does not make a spring" was also overwhelmed by the away team Hue and won 1-2.

It should also be added that in the make-up match of round 3 of V-League 1-2022 at Thien Truong Stadium, the two players who did not stay until the end of the U23 Vietnam squad, Van Toi (Hanoi FC) and Xuan Tan (Nam Dinh), were able to play the full 90 minutes and played well. Not to mention, strikers Xuan Tu and Van Dat were eliminated by the U23 Vietnam coaches before, but were continuously allowed to play in the Hai Phong Four-Hero Cup and the aforementioned make-up match, even if only for the last few minutes of the match.

Meanwhile, the young HAGL players were also tested in the Hai Phong Four-Hero Cup. Bao Toan played quite aggressively, scoring 2 beautiful goals in the loss to Hanoi FC (2-4), and the comeback win over Viettel (2-1). At the Nghe An Four-Hero Cup, SLNA U23 players also made impressive performances such as Van Viet assisting, Manh Quynh, Van Cuong scoring in the 6-0 victory of the Vinh team against their neighbor Dong A Thanh Hoa...

In short, there is not much to say about the U23 players on the main pitch of V-League 1,2-2022, but the hope that they will be trusted and have the opportunity to prove their talent at their home club is actually very little as mentioned above. This harsh long-distance race generally has no room for experimentation, so a persistent attitude is needed, waiting for every opportunity, no matter how small, of every young talent. And what will come will come when the foreign coaches of the Vietnam National Team as well as the Vietnam U23 always have an objective, proactive, and responsible view, so there is absolutely no fear of being abandoned or misjudged if the insiders really try and are open-minded in all circumstances...