Defender Que Ngoc Hai - the class of a leader.

When Trong Hoang is not playing, the captain...Que Ngoc HaiHe is the most experienced player in the national team and was entrusted with the captain's armband by Coach Park. In this match, goalkeeper Van Lam was absent, so the central defensive role of this defender from Nghe An was extremely important. He had to both inspire his teammates and motivate goalkeeper Tan Truong to maintain his composure in goal.

Softness overcomes hardness.

When the Indonesian team opted for a high-pressure, aggressive style of play to limit the ball-possession and technical passing tactics of the Vietnamese players, Que Ngoc Hai's leadership role was crucial. The number 3 center-back constantly appeared in key areas, knowing how to exert the necessary pressure on referee Ahmad Al Ali during the match.

Tactical diagrams of the two teams on the Ai Maktoum Stadium pitch. Photo: Livescore

The captain of the Vietnamese team was always by the side of Tuan Anh, Quang Hai, and Hong Duy during the moments when they had to lie on the ground due to the aggressive style of play reminiscent of pencak silat fighters by A. Irianto, P. Arhan, and many other Indonesian players. We also exchanged blows, showing no inferiority to the opponent, but our tackling was considered much softer and more technical. Coach Park's intention was to use "softness to overcome hardness," using technique to control the violent style of play, and Quang Hai, Tuan Anh, and Que Ngoc Hai were the players tasked with tightly controlling the midfield.

Leadership qualities

The Vietnamese team's ball-playing style exhausted the Indonesian players, who are considered young, strong, and possess some of the best physical fitness in Southeast Asia. The opposing team only had 29% possession but committed 16 fouls and received 5 yellow cards, while the Vietnamese team, with 71% possession, only committed 10 fouls and received 2 yellow cards. Several instances of frustrated opposing players resorting to fouls, resulting in penalties from referee Ahmad Al Ali, showcased the cunning of our players, with Que Ngoc Hai playing a leading role.

With a nothing-to-lose attitude, coach Shin Tae-Yong played with a 4-1-2-3 formation, aiming to compensate for defensive weaknesses with offensive strength. Not only did Que Ngoc Hai effectively neutralize striker Yudu, forcing coach Shin to substitute him, but he also provided excellent support to his teammates Duy Manh and Tien Dung. On several occasions, Que Ngoc Hai even appeared in Indonesia's half to initiate attacks. This new tactic on the Ai Maktoum pitch demonstrated the trust that coach Park placed in this player from Nghe An province.

Although he didn't score, captain Que Ngoc Hai will certainly be rated among the most impressive players of the match. Photo: VFF

Furthermore, long passes that landed behind the opposing defenders allowed Van Duc and Van Toan to engage in speed races with the defenders. This tactic prevented midfielder Dimas, the most experienced player on the Indonesian side, from risking pushing forward.

When the team scored, Que Ngoc Hai acted as a key player, intercepting and controlling the back passes from the midfield. His mobility across the entire pitch prevented the Indonesian players, even though they were trailing 4-0, from finding a way past goalkeeper Tan Truong. The only dangerous situation for the Indonesian players at Ai Maktoum Stadium in 90 minutes was a long-range shot that hit the crossbar, demonstrating the composure and solidity of the Vietnamese defense.

Although he didn't score, captain Que Ngoc Hai certainly deserves a place among the most impressive players. He has affirmed his leadership qualities in the Vietnamese national team.