Van Duc and Tien Linh in attack - Why not?

In fact, how to make it impossible for opponents to "read" is an important issue that was raised before the second qualifying round took place because at that time, the strengths of theVietnam National Teamunder the hands of the "wizard" Park Hang-seo has almost been revealed in the eyes of the opponents. And the story continues to be raised urgently after the second qualifying round, especially when all the fatal weaknesses of the Vietnam national team in the match against the UAE will be studied and exploited by all opponents, especially the top teams in the continent.

Of course, Mr. Park Hang-seo and his 7-member Korean team will discuss, debate, and debate together to come up with the most feasible change plan, finding the best way to operate the team smoothly, flexibly, and effectively. It is also inevitable that not all problems can be "exposed to the light", but through specific actions such as adding assistants, calling-up lists, and arranging the squad in the training sessions of the Vietnam National Team... can help us predict and reflect on the calculations, methods, and steps of the Vietnam National Team towards the upcoming difficult confrontations.

Many people predict that Vietnam national team will play defense-counterattack according to the 3-5-2 formation.

First, Mr. Park Hang-seo continued to add to his assistant team (for U22 Vietnam as well) including his teammates and favorite students from the time he was with the Korean National Team participating in the 2002 World Cup and later with the country's youth teams. These are the assistants at the Vietnam National Team including Mr. Park Choong Kyun, Park Sung Gyun, Choi Ju Young, Lee Young Jin and Kim Tae Min and the assistants in charge of U22 Vietnam including Mr. Kim Han Yoon and Kim Hyun Tae.

It is known that the recent presence of Mr. Park Choong Kyun (formerly the head coach of Hanoi team) will directly contribute to building and strengthening the midfield of the Vietnam national team, which has become loose after Hung Dung's absence and after the sad performance in the match against UAE.

From the practical experience of a central midfielder, who can play as a center-back or a full-back, Mr. Park Choong Kyun will add a new perspective, raise new counter-arguments for the head coach to choose and decide on the key personnel for the midfield. It is also possible that this assistant will directly "train" the midfield and defense in a defensive style of play with depth and initiative, not being forced to collapse like in the match against UAE. At the same time, there will be an attack and finishing exercise demonstrated by assistant Lee Young Jin... All of this takes place under the observation, evaluation and decision of the head coach as the team has long operated.

It is not yet possible to say who will be in the defense, midfield, and attack and how they will play. Everything will only be clear when the match officially takes place, but through what the assistants are implementing, many people predict that the Vietnam national team will play defense-counterattack according to the 3-5-2 formation.

Van Hau is injured and unlikely to venture onto the field again. All speculation is on Van Thanh or Hong Duy to replace him, but the current training for this position on the field is Van Thiet and Tien Anh, the new recruits and potential faces. It could be an initial test, or it could be aimed at truly refreshing the defense that has begun to have problems as many people know and expect?

Vietnam National Team's training session on August 14. Photo: Hai Hoang

Dinh Trong's perfect return could also be the basis for Mr. Park Hang-seo to rearrange the defense by trusting this center-back and promoting another center-back to reinforce the duo, the trio of central midfielders in the most surprising and effective way possible? Is it Ngoc Hai with Minh Vuong or Tuan Anh-Xuan Truong? Because the opponent will be extremely strong, when and only when this iron-shield is in charge, there is hope of not being "pressured" in terms of the game and playing style. The two wings will be 2 winbacks (attacking full-backs) as usual and Trong Hoang can still be the one to take on the right wing. If so, Quang Hai will play freely, freed from defensive duties and ready to "pressure" the opponent when there is an opportunity.

Some information about the new training exercises of the Vietnam National Team also said that Tuan Hai will be playing as number 9, meaning as an attacking midfielder for Tien Linh and... Van Duc? This is surprising when it is said that Tuan Hai can play as a starter, while the reserve for this potential rookie is... Cong Phuong (who joined the national team later due to family reasons). It also means that Van Duc no longer has a place in the midfield but is trusted to "renew" by playing in parallel with Tien Linh on the attack line, both removing the defensive duties and being ready to change state, launching dangerous punches, in order to share the "burden" for his teammate who will certainly be closely followed by the opponent every step of the way?

Phan Van Duc in SLNA shirt. Photo: Duc Anh

The requirement to innovate with new exercises and tests is clear and mandatory, but how everything will turn out is not easy to conclude. Fortunately, the coaching staff is taking a new direction and approach and creating new hope. Surely the Vietnam National Team will not accept the status of being the weakest team in the group, the underdog, but will play memorable matches with the best possible results, starting from today, from this sweaty and intellectual process of "training and training"...