Vietnam - Thailand match: Quang Hai - the number 1 expected striker

Before the match against Thailand at Thammasat Stadium on September 5, the number 19 midfielder of the Capital team had played a total of 44 matches, the most on the Vietnamese football field. In total, Quang Hai played 29 V.League 2019 matches, 1 National Cup match, 2 AFC Champions League matches, 11 AFC Cup matches, 5 AFC Asian Cup matches, 2 King's Cup matches, 3 AFC U23 Championship Qualifiers matches.

Vietnamese player with most appearances

Except for the King's Cup friendly tournament in the remaining 6 arenas, the midfielder born in 1997 always shined and became a mainstay in the attack of both the club and the national team. Up to now, he has scored 11 goals after 44 appearances.

Quang Hai is Mr. Park's number 1 hope. Photo: HNFC

What makes Thai experts so interested in Quang Hai? First of all, among the Vietnamese players, except for Van Quyet, who has a scoring efficiency of 16 goals (26 matches), averaging 0.61 goals/match, approaching the continental "killers", the remaining Vietnamese players have similar efficiency.

Striker Ha Minh Tuan of the Quang Nam team has 9 goals (21 matches), an average of 0.42 goals/match, which is higher than Quang Hai and other players. Up to now, Anh Duc has 8 goals (32 matches), Van Toan has 8 goals (31 matches). But the main difference is the quality of Quang Hai's goals, which is what coach Akira Nishino is concerned about.

First, Quang Hai is the most dangerous long-range and free-kick shooter of the Vietnam national team at present. In the defensive counter-attack, this is a tactic that Mr. Park is extremely interested in. Sometimes we are surrounded for 90 minutes but only need 1 opportunity to score a goal, in fact, the King's Cup is a lesson that the Thai people cannot forget.

Next, Quang Hai can score goals solo, creating opportunities for himself in the "take less, hit more" situation in the middle of the opponent's siege. This number 19 has many times fought independently and scored goals. At the capital team, coach Chu Dinh Nghiem also arranged a "double midfielder" for Quang Hai and Van Quyet to play on the same wing, attacking in a "wave" style and they penetrated any defense in the V.League.

In the Vietnam national team, when Van Hau enters the field, we can recreate this left-wing attack of the two players wearing the same shirt of the capital team. Surely, right-back Narubadin Weerawatnodom of the Thai national team will have a difficult afternoon with the golden boy of Vietnamese football.

Quang Hai not only does well in scoring goals but this midfielder also does well in creating goals, playing versatilely in both wing and central positions. Under Mr. Park, both wing midfielders Van Toan and Quang Hai have a fast playing style and coordinate well with other teammates. Even at the King's Cup, Mr. Park used 2 purely defensive central midfielders, the creating task was assigned to the wing midfielders.

Thai people cope

For the past two years, the Thai and Vietnamese press have been arguing endlessly about who is more talented, Quang Hai or Chanathip. Photo: HNFC

The Thai press has been following Quang Hai's every move, even analyzing carefully the fact that coach Park Hang-seo has reduced the pressure on this number 19 by transferring the vice-captaincy to Hung Dung. The fact that Mr. Park "used Hai, eliminated Quyet" has also been analyzed quite carefully by Thai experts.

The Japanese coach's decision to play a 4-2-3-1 formation, using the central midfielder pair Phitiwat and Sarach Yooyen, who are slightly disadvantaged in terms of physique, is explained as being to "kill" Quang Hai and Van Toan. These are midfielders with speed, can change direction to match the opponent's rhythm and are very cunning in marking.

In fact, the dense competition schedule, averaging 5.5 matches per day, has worn down the physical strength and ball sense of the 2018 AFF Cup Golden Ball. The reason Quang Hai did not shine as expected at the King's Cup is because this player was "overloaded" leading to a loss of feeling for playing football.

For the past 2 years, Thai and Vietnamese press have been arguing endlessly about who is more talented, Quang Hai or Chanathip. More than ever, when they are present in the same match, it is the best proof.