Expensive past lesson for HAGL: If not careful, young players will...

What can HAGL learn from the past?

HAGL is a young team with many of the most potential young players in the V-League. At the U.22 level, coach Le Quang Trai has goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien, defenders Pham Ly Duc, Nguyen Van Trieu, midfielder Cao Hoang Minh, not to mention striker Nguyen Quoc Viet (also born in 2003) who is playing for Ninh Binh on loan.

At the U.20 level, young central defender Dinh Quang Kiet (2007) is a promising seed. At the U.17 level, Tran Gia Bao (2008) made history as the youngest player to score in the V-League.

Gia Bao in the U.17 Vietnam jersey

PHOTO: VFF

In the second leg, Technical Director Vu Tien Thanh decided to promote Nguyen Minh Tam, Moi Se and Hoang Minh Tien (2005). If necessary, HAGL can field a team of U.22 and U.20 players. According to Mr. Vu Tien Thanh, HAGL's policy is to use "homegrown" players. Investing in the future and maintaining identity is a reasonable move for the mountain town team.

However, this is not the first time HAGL has rejuvenated. 10 years ago, Mr. Duc (HAGL Club President Doan Nguyen Duc) caused a shock when he liquidated more than half of the HAGL first team to give the 1995-1996 V-League spots to Nguyen Cong Phuong, Luong Xuan Truong, Nguyen Tuan Anh, Vu Van Thanh, Nguyen Phong Hong Duy... Just like the current 2003-2005 generation, HAGL has thoroughly rejuvenated to create a new look.

What did HAGL get after 7 years of rejuvenation? In the first 5 seasons, the mountain town team struggled to avoid relegation. In the 2021 season, HAGL topped the table after 12 rounds, before the tournament was canceled. By 2022, the V-League had stabilized, HAGL was back in a difficult situation. Fighting for relegation again, empty-handed and identity, what Mr. Duc expected most from the generation of players he devoted himself to training, was also very far away.

Commentator Vu Quang Huy commented: "I appreciate the efforts and dedication of Mr. Duc and Mr. Hien (Mr. Do Quang Hien, former chairman of Hanoi Club). Both of them raised the flag of youth. In particular, Mr. Duc did what few people dare to do, which is to invest money in youth training, to accumulate young talents in V-League. However, each person has their own way of doing things. For Mr. Duc, it is to let young players fend for themselves. For Mr. Hien, it is to interweave the young generation with the seniors."

According to an expert, rejuvenation is good, but it must be done strategically, not in a big way. In the end, HAGL's rejuvenation failed because during the first shaky years in the V-League, Cong Phuong and the "young shoots" of HAGL JMG did not have a senior to guide them.

Ly Duc is an interesting discovery.

PHOTO: NGOC LINH

When rejuvenating, HAGL only kept some veterans like Le Hoang Thien and Duong Van Pho, but no one was qualified enough to become the leading flag to guide the younger players. The young players had to fend for themselves amidst the sea of ​​pressure, and even though many faces still wore the national team jersey, it was hard to say that they met expectations.

Need a strategy

The same thing is happening to HAGL at the moment. Gia Bao, Ly Duc and Trung Kien all have potential. Early exposure to the V-League is also a rare thing for young players. Currently, only HAGL, SLNA, The Cong Viettel and Hanoi are the few teams that have really paved the way for young talent.

However, on the road to success, young players cannot go it alone. They need the guidance and advice of "older brothers" with enough heart and vision.

But, when the 2003-2005 generation entered the V-League, the generation of Cong Phuong and Xuan Truong was no longer here. The players who played the role of HAGL veterans now only had Tran Minh Vuong, Chau Ngoc Quang, Le Van Son, Tran Thanh Son or A Hoang. Frankly speaking, most of them were only average, had worn the national team jersey a few times and had not left much of an impression.

In order for the next generation to learn from V-League experience and not be overwhelmed by pressure like the 1995-1996 generation, HAGL needs to make the right move. Not everyone who plays on the field will automatically mature, not everyone who plays a lot will progress, especially when this generation is hard to compare with their seniors in terms of skill and experience.

Giving the opportunity to play is just the minimum requirement. Nurturing young players is a long journey that requires a roadmap throughout many seasons. HAGL owns many players who can become the future of Vietnamese football. How to patiently polish the players while still ensuring the goal of staying in the league is the problem that coach Le Quang Trai must find the answer to.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bai-hoc-qua-khu-dat-gia-cho-hagl-neu-khong-can-than-cau-thu-tre-se-185250418140550134.htm