Goalkeeper Tran Nguyen Manh: Vietnam will beat Cambodia 4-1

- Having faced Cambodia at the AFF Cup 2016, how do you rate the current strength of the Cambodian team?

Goalkeeper Tran Nguyen Manh. Photo: Internet

In recent years, Cambodian football has made remarkable progress, especially at the national team level. Although it has not reached the level of the top teams in the region, defeating them is not as simple as it was about 5 years ago.

At this AFF Cup, on the coaching bench of Cambodia, there is the appearance of Coach Keisuke Honda - former player of AC Milan and the Japanese National Team. With experience in top arenas such as SERIE A, Champions League, World Cup... he has helped Cambodia's playing style and fighting spirit improve a lot. Cambodia now no longer plays football naively like before. Therefore, Coach Park Hang-seo and his team cannot underestimate their strength.

- Who is the most dangerous player in Cambodia, in your opinion?

Of course, it’s the “Cambodian Messi” Chan Vathanaka. This is a player with a great technical foundation, highly unpredictable dribbling moves and a diverse finishing ability. If I remember correctly, Chan Vathanaka scored 2 goals at this year’s AFF Cup (against Myanmar and Laos – PV).

Fierce fight in the match between Cambodia and Laos. Photo: Internet

Besides Chan Vathanaka, Cambodia also has a player wearing the number 7 shirt (Prak Mony Udom – PV), who just scored against Laos. Vietnam’s defense will have to be wary of this duo, because they are really dangerous players. I think Chan Vathanaka or Udom will score in the match against Vietnam.

- Will there be many changes in Vietnam's starting lineup in the next match?

Certainly. Many people think that Coach Park Hang-seo will put Doan Van Hau and Que Ngoc Hai on the bench because they have received a yellow card. However, in my opinion, Coach Park will not disrupt the defense, because both Que Ngoc Hai and Doan Van Hau are playing excellently, proving their importance to Vietnam's defense. The match with Cambodia is still important, it is unlikely that Coach Park Hang-seo will change a few positions in the home team's defense system.

But on the attacking front, it is different. Most likely, young faces like Ha Duc Chinh, Nguyen Van Toan, Nguyen Tien Linh will be used from the start.

- How do you rate the recent performances of goalkeeper Dang Van Lam?

Dang Van Lam is currently the number 1 goalkeeper in V.League. Vietnam’s record of not conceding a goal is largely due to Lam “Tay”. The Hai Phong goalkeeper possesses all the skills of a modern “goalkeeper” such as ideal physique, quick reflexes, reasonable entry and exit, and skillful footwork. Mr. Park’s choice of Dang Van Lam in the recent matches was reasonable, and Lam “Tay” has made everyone satisfied with his excellent and stable performance.

- Captain Nguyen Van Quyet is receiving a lot of criticism from experts and football fans in the country. Is it fair to the player from Hanoi?

Admittedly, Nguyen Van Quyet has not shown much in Vietnam's recent matches. However, as one of the most experienced players in the national team, with proven talent, Quyet "jungle" is still an extremely important card for coach Park Hang-seo. I believe Nguyen Van Quyet will shine at the times in the matches when Vietnam needs him most. I hope that the country's football fans will not rush to criticize Nguyen Van Quyet.

- What do you predict the score of the Vietnam - Cambodia match?

With home field advantage and a better squad, 3 points will be firmly in the hands of coach Park Hang-seo and his team. The final score will be 4-1 in favor of Vietnam.

- Thank you for this conversation!