Vietnam U23 team enters the match: What to expect from Sy Hoang and Van Viet?

Especially for fans from Nghe An province andSLNAThe biggest concern right now is whether the two "favorite" players, Sy Hoang and Van Viet, will get to start or come on as substitutes, and whether their debut will offer any hope compared to their seniors, Van Duc and Xuan Manh, before them?

Sy Hoang was almost always deployed in his preferred left wing position. (Photo: Archival image)

Let me state upfront that the information surrounding the Vietnam U23 team, especially the recent internal and international friendly matches, doesn't offer much hope for Sy Hoang and Van Viet individually. Although Sy Hoang was previously almost always deployed in his preferred left wing position, and even scored in internal matches, in recent trials, it seems the young player with the skillful cross when participating in attacks has lost his position.

In Vietnam U23's recent final friendly match, Sy Hoang was only brought on in the second half, playing in his preferred position but making several awkward passes when surrounded by opponents and was quickly substituted afterwards. As usual, Coach Park Hang-seo needs a winger who can move up and down the pitch effectively, is good defensively, and is also a strong attacker. Unfortunately, Sy Hoang seems to lack the physical fitness and build to start the match, especially since Coach Park doesn't yet know how strong the upcoming opponent will be, as he mentioned in the pre-match press conference.

In fact, this player's skill could be showcased in a dominant game by the Vietnam U23 team, so it's quite possible that when facing a weaker opponent, when everything is already secured, Sy Hoang will be brought onto the field? Currently, the two wingback positions for the Vietnam U23 team are already "booked" for Van Xuan and Van Do, which many people can imagine, and the confidence in this "wing" pairing is also quite certain.

For Van Viet, this versatile midfielder can play on both wings during trials, but perhaps he's better suited to playing as a substitute, as key players like Hai Long, Huu Thang, Hoang Anh… are always trusted with the hope of progressing further in the future. Van Viet has solid defensive capabilities and is willing to participate in attacks, but he hasn't yet shown the necessary unpredictability.

Compared to some players in the Vietnam U23 team, Van Viet is still a new name in the V. League, not yet as experienced and mature as Van Xuan, Xuan Tu, Van Cong, Hoang Anh, Hai Long… Therefore, Van Viet only has the potential for a reserve squad, part of Coach Park's depth, and is not yet a leading player in the Vietnam U23 team at this time.

But that doesn't mean that the fans and coaching staff of the Vietnam U23 team don't place their full trust in players like Sy Hoang and Van Viet. When the match starts, everything will unfold. Some players will perform well, while others may not perform as well as they did in training and friendlies. Not to mention injuries and suspensions, which are always a part of every team, big or small.

Therefore, additions and substitutions are always happening, and that's an opportunity for the reserves. The problem is that when given the chance, each player must know how to seize it and perform clearly and convincingly on the field. The interesting story of Van Duc and Xuan Manh at the U23 Asian Championship in Changzhou should be a "bedside book" for Sy Hoang and Van Viet if this duo wants to make significant progress in their careers.

As coach Park Hang-seo admitted, "this U23 team shouldn't be compared to the one that won in Changzhou," but if we consider the Changzhou team as a role model and a goal to emulate, then it's essential for all young Vietnamese football players from now on, including the current U23 team. Therefore, starting with the match against Chinese Taipei U23, fans have the "right" to hope for the journey of a new generation of players striving and rising to gradually lay the foundation and elevate Vietnamese football to the big stage in the future.

Sy Hoang and Van Viet won't find it easy to achieve something immediately, but with their inherent willpower and determination, and with the example of those who came before them, we hope that these two players from Nghe An and the entire team will work together, multiplying their strength to gradually assert themselves and secure a firm place in the U23 Vietnam team starting today and in the long series of challenging matches tomorrow and in the days to come…