Midfielder Phi Son: The tireless bird

(Baonghean.vn) - After 12 rounds of V. League 2017, 'Vietnam's Ronaldo' is the most impressive player of the Nghe An team.

The unfortunate defeat of the Vietnam national team at the AFF Cup 2016 had a significant impact on Phi Son's spirit and performance. Right in the match between SLNA and FLC Thanh Hoa in the first round of V. League 2017, the midfielder born in 1992 played below his ability against the tight defense of the home team.

Phi Son's time on the field can be summed up in two words: Disappointing! Without a single impressive play from the player wearing the number 10 shirt, SLNA's attack fell into a state of complete isolation.

That poor form continued to be repeated by Phi Son in the reception of XSKT Can Tho at Vinh Stadium after 1 week. Although the goal was an own goal by central defender Ngoc Hai, the responsibility of Phi Son and his teammates on the front line was not small. If the SLNA strikers played more effectively, it would be difficult for the team from the West to turn the game around in the extra time of the match.

Obviously, Phi Son has not been unjustly criticized because he is the leader of SLNA's attack.

Phi Son (in yellow shirt) is the trump card of SLNA's coaching staff in recent seasons. Photo: Trung Kien.

It seemed like things would get worse for Phi Son, but in the match against S. Khanh Hoa in round 3, the player from Ha Tinh had a classy flick right at the edge of the visitors' penalty area to open the score. That goal was like a springboard to help Phi Son relieve pressure and play more freely. It is not an exaggeration to say that the goal against goalkeeper Tuan Manh was the turning point marking Phi Son's return to his best form.

In fact, if we use the number of goals to evaluate the importance of a player, Phi Son does not deserve to be praised. After 12 rounds, equivalent to more than 1,000 minutes on the field, the player wearing the number 10 shirt has only scored 2 goals.

This is a very mediocre number when placed next to Khac Ngoc's 3 goals and Henry's 6 goals. Phi Son's achievements are only equivalent to his teammate playing on the opposite wing, The Cuong (The Cuong's minutes on the field are only more than half of Phi Son's). In terms of goals, Phi Son has nothing outstanding.

So what is the basis for recognizing Phi Son's important role in the SLNA squad? Starting in the right wing midfielder position, Phi Son often moves wide like a free player. Sometimes he switches to the left wing, sometimes he moves into the middle, sometimes he retreats deep close to the home team's goal to support the defense and receive the ball, launching attacks.

Phi Son's wide range of activity made it difficult for the opposing defense to track him. With Phi Son's skillful individual technique, the defenders always arranged 2 players to stand guard around him, thus revealing gaps for Khac Ngoc, Henry, Olaha... to exploit.

Carefully observing the 25-year-old midfielder's movements in recent matches, we can clearly see how strange and good his tactical vision is. Every touch of the ball, every run of Phi Son has a purpose and is potentially dangerous.

Specific evidence, in The Cuong's goal in the match between SLNA and Ho Chi Minh City Club, Phi Son moved to the left wing, held the ball past 3 away team players (including senior Au Van Hoan) right at the sideline and then passed it like a set piece for his teammate to tap the ball into the net of goalkeeper Quoc Thien Esele.

Or like Khac Ngoc's goal at Cam Pha Stadium a few rounds ago against Than Quang Ninh. Phi Son confidently held the ball surrounded by the home team's defenders, a favorable pass to Khac Ngoc and goalkeeper Tuan Linh's net shook.

The familiar dribbling of “Vietnamese Ronaldo” on the right wing. Photo: Trung Kien.

Then the ball pushed past the entire HAGL defense, putting Henry in a not too difficult situation to pass the ball inside for Olaha to defeat the away team's goalkeeper Van Tien. Roughly, Phi Son contributed to 6 goals of SLNA (2 goals and 4 assists).

Objectively speaking, Phi Son's contributions to SLNA in V. League 2017 cannot be measured by specific statistics only through the number of goals and assists. The role of the player born in 1992 is extremely important. He is the leader, the key to the attack of the Nghe An team.

If Phi Son plays well, SLNA will get good results. If Phi Son plays badly, SLNA will of course receive disappointing results. The importance of the player wearing the number 10 shirt to the Vinh team is indisputable.

This year, he is 25 years old, which means that Phi Son's contract with SLNA will only last until the end of the 2017 season. In case the Nghe An team's management cannot convince the player from Ha Tinh to sign a new contract, the prospect of Phi Son playing for another club in the 2018 V. League is certain.

With proven talent, it is not difficult for Phi Son to find a suitable destination. Fans from Nghe An certainly do not want that to happen./.

Thanh Hung