Rookie Pham Tuan Hai was surprised to be called up to the national team.

This is the first time Tuan Hai has been called up.Vietnam national team.More specifically, this is also the training camp for the Vietnamese national team in preparation for their first-ever participation in the final round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. What were Tuan Hai's feelings upon receiving the news that he had been called up by head coach Park Hang-seo?

Striker Pham Tuan Hai gives an interview before training. Photo: Hai Hoang

Pham Tuan Hai:When the national team competed in the second round of World Cup qualifiers, I wasn't on the roster. So, when I heard the news that I'd been called up to the national team this time, I felt very happy and surprised. I shared this joy with my parents, and they were also very surprised. They encouraged me a lot and reminded me to try harder to show my full potential.

When selecting players for the national team, the head coach usually considers two fundamental factors: suitability to the team's playing style and the player's strengths. What are Tuan Hai's outstanding strengths, and how has he integrated into the team's playing style after the past eight days of training?

Tuan Hai is trying to adapt to the team's playing style. Photo: Hai Hoang

Pham Tuan Hai:I think my strengths are my physical strength, fitness, and fighting spirit on the field. I'm also gradually adapting to the team's playing style. In recent training sessions, the coaching staff has been refining tactics for the whole team, which has helped me get into the rhythm faster..

At the Vietnam national team, will Tuan Hai be trained in his familiar position as he plays for his club, or will he be tested in a new position?

Pham Tuan Hai:In recent training sessions, the coaching staff has assigned me to play in my usual position at the club, which is attacking midfielder, and sometimes I've been pushed up to play as a striker. These are all positions I'm familiar with.

As a "newcomer," how does Tuan Hai assess the differences between training sessions with the Vietnamese national team and training sessions at his club?

I will try to learn from my seniors. Photo: Hai Hoang

Pham Tuan Hai:I think the most noticeable difference is that the players in the national team are all high-class and very good. They handle the ball very quickly. I need to focus and learn a lot more from the senior players in the national team.

Did Tuan Hai receive support and experience sharing from "veterans" when joining the national team, especially players in the same position such as Tien Linh, Van Toan, Van Duc, or Duc Chinh? What goals has Tuan Hai set for himself?

Pham Tuan Hai:I'm sharing a room with Van Toan. He's shared a lot with me about the playing style and tactical approach that Coach Park has given to the whole team. My goal is to try my best in training so that I can be included in the squad for the upcoming match against the Saudi Arabian national team.

Here are some photos from the training session:

Coach Park Hang Seo brings a very cheerful atmosphere to the stadium.

The Vietnamese national team trained in cool weather.

Coach Park was constantly taking notes on a piece of paper.

Coach Park hid his documents in his... waistband when his players demanded to see them.

Van Hoang and the other goalkeepers of the Vietnamese national team showed great concentration.

Coach Pack carefully scrutinizes his students during practice.

The Vietnamese national team wants to create a surprise in the challenging final round of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, starting with an away match against Saudi Arabia on September 2nd and a home match against Australia at My Dinh Stadium on September 7th.