U22 Vietnam: Rescue Tuan Tai

(Baonghean.vn) - Coach Nguyen Huu Thang has just announced the team list.U22 Vietnam participated in a friendly match with U20 Argentina. Once again, young striker Ho Tuan Tai of SLNA was called up to the national team.

First of all, it must be said that the U20 Argentina team currently gathering in Ezeiza (Argentina), preparing for a friendly match with Vietnamese teams, is not the strongest U20 Argentina team, used to conquer the U20 World Championship.

The most regrettable absence is Ezequiel Ponce, who is owned by the famous club AS Roma (Italy), but is playing for Granada (Spain) on loan.

Next is Argentina's top football prospect, Cristian Romero - who played very well at the South American U20 tournament earlier this year. Belgrano Club, where Romero is playing, did not allow the "new Walter Samuel" of the Tango country to come to Vietnam to play a friendly match.

Super reagent

Although lacking many players currently playing in Europe, people still do not underestimate the U20 Argentina team, the team that has won the U20 World Cup 6 times. Their squad includes striker Marcelo Torres, who has just had a very successful U20 South American tournament with 5 goals.

Although many players are busy playing in Europe, U20 Argentina is still very strong. Photo: Internet

Head coach Diego Romagnoli brought to Vietnam winger Lucas Rodriguez, a player born in 1997, dubbed the "new Messi" of Argentine football due to his small stature and fast dribbling. He has three years of experience playing for Argentina's top team Estudiantes and has scored 6 goals.

Sweeper Santiago Ascacibar was one of the most important players for Argentina U20 in the South American U20 Championship, playing in almost every match for Argentina U20 in the tournament. Santiago was also the only 19-year-old player to be called up to Argentina's Olympic squad for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Goalscorer Lautaro Martínez, despite being just under 20 years old, has three years of experience playing in the Argentine National Championship. At the recent South American U20 tournament, this striker scored 5 goals, including 2 decisive goals in the match against Venezuela, bringing Argentina U20 to the U20 World Cup.

Rescue Tuan Tai

Coach Nguyen Huu Thang identified this match as an important step in preparation for the SEA Games 2017 gold medal campaign. In the call-up list are 5 names: Nguyen Cong Phuong, Nguyen Van Toan, Ho Tuan Tai, Le Thanh Binh, Lam Ti Phong.

Tuan Tai has shone in the U23 Vietnam shirt. Photo: Internet

First of all, it must be affirmed that Cong Phuong is the most promising name. Ending the first leg of V-League with 13 consecutive appearances in the starting lineup of Hoang Anh Gia Lai, Cong Phuong showed his progress with 4 goals and 5 assists.

Tuan Tai is a rather surprising name, although this is the third time the coach from Nghe An has called up the 21-year-old player to the national team (previously U23 Vietnam, national team). It is no coincidence that the previous two times, Tuan Tai was given the opportunity to start as a center forward and did not disappoint the team's coaching staff.

It is not difficult to see that Cong Phuong will likely take the starting position in the attacking midfielder position on the road to conquering the 2017 SEA Games. The opportunity to play as a striker will be divided equally among the remaining 4 players, but clearly Tuan Tai has the advantage because of his ability to choose a good position and jump quickly within 16.5m.

In terms of dribbling ability, Tuan Tai may lose to Van Toan, and in terms of pressing ability, he may lose to Lam Ti Phong, but in return, Tuan Tai is very diligent and willing to move and drag the opposing defenders.

It is very difficult for a player who is often on the bench at a club to have a good feel for the ball when he is put on the field, that is an obstacle that Tuan Tai must overcome. In the past, only players who shine at the club are called up to the national team, but rarely do players who play well at the national team level compete for a starting position at the club.

But that's Vietnamese football, Tuan Tai has no choice but to prove his ability when coach Huu Thang gives him the opportunity!

AT