What does Chinese media say about the Vietnam team?

Chinese media paid special attention to the confrontation betweenChinese team and Vietnamese teamat Sharjah Stadium (UAE). Simply like Vietnam, the Chinese team suffered defeat in the first two matches.

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Coach Park Hang-seo at the press conference. Photo: Hai Hoang

It is fair for Sohu to say that coach Li Tie's experience cannot be compared to that of Vietnam's coach Park Hang-seo. Chinese journalists all believe that before coming to Vietnam in January 2018, Park Hang-seo had been a coach for 25 years. Having only led the Vietnamese team for about 4 years, he has been successful with the Vietnam U23 team ranking second in the 2018 Asian Cup, then the Asian Games; the 2018 Southeast Asian Football Championship and the 2019 Southeast Asian Games Men's Football Championship.

Meanwhile, apart from his 92 appearances for the national team, coach Li Tie has not achieved any significant results in his coaching career in the past 10 years. In October 2019, after coach Lippi resigned, Li Tie, Li Xiaopeng and Wang Baoshan were candidates for the position of head coach of China. The announcement by the Chinese Football Association that Li Tie would become the new head coach of national football was a surprise.

Coach Li Tie and Park Hang-seo were both assistants to famous foreign coaches. In addition, according to press reports, both coaches Li Tie and Park Hang-seo had their contracts extended early. Coach Li Tie was extended by the Chinese Football Association for another 5 years until 2026. Park Hang-seo is said to extend his contract with the VFF for another year, until January 2023. According to Sohu sources, coach Li Tie's salary is lower than coach Park Hang-seo's. This makes coach Li Tie even more determined to win over his colleague.

Midfield "Three Nguyen"

Vietnam team practices for match against China. Photo: Hai Hoang

Sohu rates goalkeeper Yan Junling as having better skills than Bui Tan Truong on the Vietnamese side. Because Yan Junling has been the main goalkeeper of the Chinese national football team in recent years. Meanwhile, Bui Tan Truong is only a reserve for Dang Van Lam. When Bui Tan Truong played instead of Dang Van Lam in the most recent match, he conceded 3 goals. Meanwhile, Yan Junling performed well against the Japanese team and hopes to maintain good form in the match against the Vietnamese team.

Both teams' defenses have suffered quite a few injuries. Young center back Zhu Chenjie has missed many days of team training and is unlikely to play against Vietnam. Full back Gao Zhunyi has not been on the field due to a muscle strain. The good news is that Zhang Linpeng and Li Lei, who were injured earlier, have returned to training but their chances of playing are uncertain. At present, only Wang Gang is expected to return to play.

The defense of the Vietnamese team also suffered injuries, Van Hau, Dinh Trong, Thanh Chung were all injured, unlikely to play in the starting lineup. As for the central defenders Duy Manh, Ngoc Hai and Tien Dung, they are basically reliable, the full-back Van Thanh was slightly injured during the preparation. It is very likely that the problem is not big. Dang Van Hau is injured and may have a chance to start (Sohu reporter wrote the wrong information). Nguyen Phong Hong Duy may not be effective, lacking in defensive and ball-holding ability, needing the help of other central defenders.

Midfielders of the Vietnamese team that can be included in the “three Nguyen” lineup are Nguyen Tuan Anh, Nguyen Quang Hai and Nguyen Hoang Duc. In particular, note Nguyen Quang Hai because although he is not tall, he is very flexible, during his time wearing the U23 Vietnam team and the Vietnam national team jersey. His ability to break through and shoot from afar is something that Chinese players need to be wary of.

Worried about striker Cong Phuong

Nguyen Cong Phuong has an advantage even though he is not a regular starter. Photo: Laodong.vn

As for the strikers, Wu Lei and Nguyen Cong Phuong are the players responsible for scoring goals for the two teams. Wu Lei and Nguyen Cong Phuong both have experience playing abroad. The only difference is that Wu Lei has long been the main striker of the Chinese team, while Nguyen Cong Phuong has just returned to the Vietnamese team.

To be fair, in terms of mentality and physical strength, Nguyen Cong Phuong seems to have the advantage even though he is not a regular starter. Therefore, he has a better physical foundation and does not need to rush the long way from Espanyol Club (Spain) back to the national team like Wu Lei.

In addition, Vietnam also has another striker, Nguyen Tien Linh, who is playing for the Vietnam Olympic team. During the match with U22 China, he scored twice for U22 Vietnam, so we cannot be subjective. All in all, according to the Vietnamese media, Wu Lei is under more pressure, because after all, the Chinese team has not scored any goals in the top 12 so far.