U23 Vietnam, when returning to "ground"

It must be recognized that the U23 Vietnam players, especially the main players after the continental tournament, have improved a lot in terms of expertise, competitive spirit and physical strength.

But, from the 2018 AFC U23 Championship to getting a starting position with his seniors at the club in the 2018 V.League season is not simple at all.

Life changing opportunity

The 2018 AFC U23 Championship is an opportunity for Duy Manh, Thanh Chung and Doan Van Hau to prove their abilities and receive opportunities from coach Chu Dinh Nghiem. In fact, before joining the Vietnam U23 team, they had been on the field but not often. Along with growing up in the U23 team and Alvaro Silva and Sam Ngoc Duc leaving the team, they have more opportunities to participate in the defense of Hanoi FC.

In midfield, Coach Chu Dinh Nghiem has Moses and Duc Huy playing very well and will experience a pleasant headache when there are too many choices. After a brilliant performance in the role of a holding midfielder, Duc Huy will be more often trusted in this position instead of being versatile like in previous seasons.

Meanwhile, the experience accumulated through top international arenas will help Truong Van Thai Quy gain more trust. Moses has secured a starting position in midfield, Duc Huy and Thai Quy will compete for the remaining position, in which Duc Huy has an advantage as he can play in more positions.

Tuan Anh's return from injury will be the case that Mr. Park is most concerned about as Mr. Duc has praised him many times, this is the midfielder he likes the most.

If Xuan Manh has been confirmed as a right-back in SLNA's shirt, Van Duc has only matured at the end of last season. In China, Van Duc was assigned by Mr. Park to play many positions from attacking midfielder, left midfielder and even replaced Duc Huy in the final match as central midfielder. Coach Duc Thang will have more options when using this player in V-League 2018. Nghe An fans are expecting Xuan Manh and Van Duc to be the two wingers of SLNA, worthy replacements for Phi Son.

Xuan Truong will return to the Mountain City to take charge of the HAGL midfield. Photo: Internet

In the U23 Vietnam squad, there are some players who started in V.League 2017, their brilliance this time will give the coaches more options to use. The HAGL players such as Cong Phuong, Van Toan, Van Thanh or Hong Duy were the pillars of the Mountain City team last season, so they will be automatically assigned to start in V.League 2018.

Xuan Truong, after two years of training in Korea, will share the burden of the midfield area with Tuan Anh. Meanwhile, midfielder Chau Ngoc Quang, although not playing any minutes in the U23 Asian Cup, is certainly still a pillar of the mountain town team. In fact, for them, the U23 Asian Cup 2018 is just a battle to further train the warriors who have fought in the V.League.

Ironic

Despite his excellent performance at the 2018 AFC U23 Championship, it is clear that goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung does not have many opportunities. FLC Thanh Hoa has to compete in three arenas: AFC Cup, V.League and National Cup, so former national goalkeeper Tran Buu Ngoc and Thanh Thang will take turns as the main goalkeeper.

Goalkeeper Tien Dung needs to try hard to have a chance. Photo: Internet

Saigon team is having changes in the upper structure but Dinh Trong has shown his class and no matter which team he plays for, this 21-year-old central defender is still sure to be a starter. But with goalkeeper Nguyen Van Hoang, it is different, there are not many opportunities to be the starter even though coach Tai Em is interested in young players.

At SHB Da Nang, the No. 3 goalkeeper of U23 Vietnam, Dang Ngoc Tuan, will also play a similar role when he returns to the club because Le Van Hung and Nguyen Thanh Binh are rated much higher. If Ha Duc Chinh will be the top choice alongside Do Merlo, midfielder Bui Tien Dung will have to try very hard against new coach Nguyen Minh Phuong if he wants to start.

Returning to Viettel, the duo Bui Tien Dung and Nguyen Trong Dai will be starting players even though in the First Division, the competition and number of matches are much less than in the V.League.