Tuan Tai - Cong Phuong and the responsibility of the 'successors' at SEA Games 29

(Baonghean.vn) - SEA Games 29 is a sports event that fans are placing high expectations on. There are no "Van Quyen, Cong Vinh" versions 2, but the times are changing, nothing is impossible.

"Debt" of the past

In the past, Vietnam’s journey to win the gold medal in men’s football at the SEA Games has always been difficult. Vietnam had 4 opportunities to touch the gold medal at the regional sports events but all met the “rock” of Thailand.

Vietnamese football in the past produced many outstanding strikers but still has a debt of gratitude for the SEA Games - Photo: Internet

The Thai team has won against Vietnam 3 times in 1995, 2003 and 2005. The most regretful and most beautiful memory is still the final match of SEA Games 22 in 2003 at home stadium My Dinh. The talented players such as Huy Hoang, Van Quyen, Quoc Vuong, Huu Thang... lost 1-2 to the big team in the region.

Twice causing Vietnam to lose in 1995 and 2005 because Thailand was too strong compared to the rest, however names like Van Quyen and Quoc Vuong still became the fear of the opponents. In which Van Quyen became a rare phenomenon of Vietnamese football with his captivating dribbling and classy goals, free kicks, and long shots.

But then at the 2005 Philippine Games, a momentary mistake by the boys left the pain of the SEA Games still imprinted in the subconscious of the country's fans before Mai Xuan Hop's leg caused U23 Vietnam to lose painfully to Malaysia in Laos in 2009.

“Stumbling at the gates of heaven” for various reasons, but no matter what, Thailand is always a direct opponent of U22 Vietnam. It is not an exaggeration to say that many generations of golden players of Vietnam, even coach Nguyen Huu Thang, still owe the home fans a gold medal. Or at least the eye-catching matches against the “giant” Thailand. Among them is the most beloved, most expected and also the most regrettable player, none other than the “child prodigy” Van Quyen. Cong Vinh is different, not too talented, but he and the generation of players who won the AFF Cup 2008 have done what many “golden” generations of Vietnamese football have not been able to do. However, that is not enough for the debts accumulated in the past...

I owe you, I pay

It has been a long time since people have seen Ho Tuan Tai's decisive positioning, acceleration and finishing. It has also been a long time since people have seen Cong Phuong dancing with the ball, kicking free kicks, breaking through the opponent's defense to create conditions for his teammates like in the U23 Asia qualifiers 2 years ago. However, like a cycle of reincarnation, those "springs" seem to be waiting for the opportunity to burst out.

Playing in the striker position, the most important thing is still scoring goals. And their ultimate goal, their mission is just to score goals. They may not be the type of player who can act with the ball like the "prodigy" Van Quyen and create opportunities for themselves, but football is different now, all it takes is a moment of brilliance for them throughout the 90 minutes. That is when the instinctive factors that Tuan Tai and Cong Phuong both have and have shown in the U19 Vietnam team jersey are needed.

SEA Games 29 is the last SEA Games for two strikers Nguyen Cong Phuong and Ho Tuan Tai - Photo: Internet

Preparing for the 29th SEA Games, the opponents, no matter how small or large, must give U22 Vietnam a certain amount of respect. The generation of players that the home fans have been waiting for will break the "curse" of the SEA Games in history with a foundation based on expertise and level. More than anyone, Van Quyen's cousin Ho Tuan Tai or the player with high expectations Nguyen Cong Phuong must be worthy of that respect from the opponents in the region.

Thailand is still a force in regional football, but it is not that they do not have certain limitations and weaknesses. The leader of U22 Thailand now is not a genius Kiatisuk but a Worawut Srimakha who is quite confused because the clubs in Japan refuse to release their players. "A good harvest of areca nuts, a bad harvest of rice", just like U22 Vietnam, the strength of this opponent lies in the midfield. At the same time, the attack of U22 Thailand does not have many sharp choices.

Frankly speaking, the chances for U22 Vietnam at the SEA Games and other opponents are completely equal. The level of the players and the teams may be "one nine one person". But if coach Nguyen Huu Thang knows how to awaken the potential of "successors" like Tuan Tai and Cong Phuong, the results will be very optimistic./.

Trung Kien