Vietnam vs Thailand: Three hot spots at My Dinh Stadium

Article: An Thanh; Photography: Huu Quan• DNUM_BJZBBZCABJ 13:30

(Baonghean.vn) - In the match against the Thai team, even if Mr. Park Hang-seo continued to ask the players to exchange jerseys, it probably wouldn't have much effect. Simply, the players on both sides know each other too well from recent matches at all levels of the national team.

This is a match where the players of both teams will “give and take”. The players of both sides know each other very well, even Mr. A. Nishino has 8 faces in the Thai team that defeated the Vietnamese team in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, which took place in 2015.

They are goalkeepers Kawin Thamsatchanan, Chatchai Budprom, Theerathon Bunmathan, Tristan Do, Tanaboon Kesarat, Sarach Yooyen, Chanathip Songkrasin, Teerasil Dangda. Even three young Thai players, Supachai Jaided, Suphanat Mueanta and Supachok Sarachat, just played at My Dinh earlier this year in the 0-4 loss of Thailand U23 to Vietnam U23.

Thitiphan - Quang Hai

After only playing 10 minutes for Oita Trinita in more than 2 months, midfielder Thitiphan returned from injury in the first leg against Vietnam. Of course, his mission was to “turn off” Quang Hai, the most dangerous attacker on the Vietnamese side. Right-footed, tenacious and full of tricks, these are the qualities that this Japanese player makes Vietnamese players remember.

Certainly, Thitiphan will enter the field and play as midfielder because the center forward position will be taken by Teerasil Dangda.

The main task of the 1.78m tall midfielder is to separate the “Vietnamese Messi” from his teammates. This is also the match where people will compare Quang Hai and C. Songkrasin to see who is more worthy of the title Messi. Although coach Park Hang-seo publicly stated that Cong Phuong will be the player to score against Thailand, Thitiphan and the Thai players will not neglect their duty of watching Quang Hai.

In a match where players from both sides fight for every meter on the field, the class of stars like Quang Hai will be an important factor for us to get 3 points.

Dang Van Lam - Teerasil Dangda

The match at My Dinh Stadium will be a confrontation between acquaintances, but no one understands each other as well as Teerasil Dangda and goalkeeper Dang Van Lam. Simply put, they play for the same Muangthong United club, and they played 18 matches together last season.

In the 4 matches of the 2nd qualifying round of the 2020 World Cup in Asia, Van Lam only conceded 1 goal in the match against Indonesia. But that does not mean that the goalkeeper of Muangthong United Club does not have weaknesses. The weakness in handling the high ball of "Western" Lam has been identified by Thai players and Dangda.

Meanwhile, the 31-year-old veteran Dangda's movements and scoring habits will also be noted by goalkeeper Dang Van Lam. In a tense match, whoever successfully exploits the opponent's weaknesses will win.

Tuan Anh - Chanathip

Both Tuan Anh and Chanathip have in common that they are often injured. After 6 years of struggling with injuries, Nho has become an indispensable pillar under coach Park Hang-seo.

Through 3 matches in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, it is easy to see how well Tuan Anh's delicate handling helps the Vietnamese team escape pressing against other teams.

During his injury months, Nho tattooed the words: "South of the border, West of the sun" as a way to guide his path back to the field. Facing Chanathip, the brightest star of Thai football playing in Japan, is an opportunity for Tuan Anh to assert himself.

“Thai Messi” just scored a goal against Malaysia, although Thailand later lost 1-2. Compared to the first leg, Tuan Anh will have more difficulty when surrounding C. Songkrasin, there are 3 names T. Dangda (10), S. Sarachart (7), E. Punya (8) playing as satellites. Even if necessary, Mr. A. Nishino is ready to “sacrifice” Thitipan, a midfielder who plays very hard, to stick with the home team's conductor.

Surely the audience will see the technical moves of the players from the two strongest football teams in Southeast Asia, it will certainly be more fierce than the first leg.