'Xuan Truong and Van Thanh are not yet mature enough to win the Golden Ball'

Than Quang Ninh FC's head coach, Phan Thanh Hung, expressed no surprise at Xuan Truong missing out on the 2016 Vietnamese Golden Ball award.

According to former Vietnam national team head coach Phan Thanh Hung, Thanh Luong's winning the 2016 Golden Ball was entirely deserved, and he was not at all surprised that Xuan Truong received the Silver Ball.

Xuan Truong received the Most Popular Player award in 2016.

“Xuan Truong and Van Thanh are just young players. They only really stood out after the 2016 AFF Suzuki Cup when Xuan Truong and Van Thanh played impressively. However, in my opinion, the Golden Ball award includes many factors, and the most important thing is what the player contributes to both the club and the national team.”

To be realistic, Xuan Truong and Van Thanh haven't achieved any concrete successes at the club level. They also haven't played a particularly significant role at their clubs. Therefore, their outstanding performance at the 2016 AFF Suzuki Cup can be considered a temporary phenomenon, rather than a clear indication of their value and role to deserve the Golden Ball award.”

Coach Phan Thanh Hung believes that Xuan Truong surpassing a host of senior players to win the Most Popular Player of 2016 award accurately reflects the reality that Xuan Truong is currently the most beloved player among Vietnamese football fans.

"I think Van Thanh winning the Best Young Player award and Xuan Truong winning both the Most Popular Player and the Silver Ball award in Vietnam 2016 is already a reward and recognition for them."

Xuan Truong and Van Thanh are still very young, and if they maintain their form and desire to contribute and showcase their abilities, they still have many opportunities to win the Vietnamese Golden Ball award.”

Than Quang Ninh's head coach, Phan Thanh Hung, shared his thoughts with The Sports & Culture newspaper about the team's goals, as well as the advantages and difficulties they will face in the 2017 season.

In addition, coach Phan Thanh Hung believes that his former pupil from Hanoi FC, Pham Thanh Luong, although his contributions were somewhat understated, his role and importance for Hanoi T&T Club and the national team in 2016 cannot be denied.

"At the club level, over the past year, Thanh Luong has been a key player for Hanoi FC and he has contributed significantly to Hanoi's V-League 2016 championship victory."

Luong is a highly experienced and skilled player, making him a key figure in guiding Hanoi's young players through the demanding and challenging V-League season to victory. This was truly impressive and a decisive factor in Thanh Luong winning the 2016 Golden Ball award.

At the national team level, Thanh Luong also made significant contributions. At the 2016 AFF Suzuki Cup, Thanh Luong may not have received the same attention and affection from fans as younger players like Xuan Truong and Van Thanh, but he also made certain contributions and deserves recognition from experts and fans.

According to thethaovanhoa