Cao Pendant Quang Vinh: 'Vietnamese players can play well in France and Germany'

IT'S NOT ABOUT HEIGHT

On May 7, defender Cao Pendant Quang Vinh gave Thanh Nien an exclusive interview. Here, the player born in 1997 (who played for France's U.16 and U.18 teams) opened up about his love for Vietnam, his desire to contribute to the national team if he catches the eye of coach Kim Sang-sik, and a new perspective on Vietnamese football.

According to Quang Vinh, Vietnamese players have full potential to shine abroad. The 28-year-old defender commented that matches in the V-League are always difficult because Vietnamese players are very fast and strong, always approaching with high determination. He believes that his fellow countrymen can shine abroad. However, up to now, although there have been many cases of going abroad such as Quang Hai (to France), Van Hau (Netherlands), Cong Phuong (Japan, Korea, Belgium) or Van Lam (Thailand, Japan), no Vietnamese player has gained a firm foothold and affirmed his name in a foreign country.

Quang Vinh analyzed with Thanh Nien : "I think Vietnamese players can try their hand abroad. They can go to Korea, Japan, North America or Europe to compete. If they go to Europe, they are capable of playing in countries like Portugal, Germany, Belgium or even France. Through the V-League, I see that Vietnamese players are fast and strong, they also have the ability to play fiercely at high intensity, strong and technical. They should try their hand abroad. Among the necessary skills, I think adaptation is the most important. They have to be away from their families, adapt to a new language and a new culture. In the US, I had to study English for 6 months to adapt. The important thing is that you dare to be open to challenges to improve yourself."

Cao Pendant Quang Vinh (right) in CAHN club jersey

PHOTO: CAHN CLUB

One of the limitations of Vietnamese players going abroad is their physique. Most Vietnamese players do not have ideal height, but Quang Vinh believes that this is not a problem.

"Height, no! In Europe, there are small players who still play well. For example, PSG has Joao Neves (1.74 m) or Vitinha (1.72 m). They don't have outstanding height, but they still play well. Vietnamese players have good technique and diverse playing ability. The difference lies in thinking, in the head. Changing and adapting thinking will help us compete in any environment. The day I went to the US to play for the New York Red Bulls, I was only 23 years old, but I accepted the challenge. I studied English for 6 months to communicate fluently and not hesitate to face difficulties," Quang Vinh shared.

THE WHOLE FAMILY LEARNS VIETNAMESE

When he decided to return to Vietnam to play for the Hanoi Police Club (CAHN), Quang Vinh and his wife diligently studied Vietnamese. He studied 3 sessions a week, 1 hour each session. Not only did he study in school, he also tried to use Vietnamese anytime, anywhere.

"I communicate with my teammates in English or Vietnamese, but I prefer Vietnamese. I can speak and understand a little. In competition, I also give commands in Vietnamese, focusing on simple sentences like left, right, up, down, raise, back...", Quang Vinh shared with Thanh Nien . His Vietnamese language skills were cultivated from his childhood, when his mother always said good night in Vietnamese. Ms. Cao Ngoc Chau (Quang Vinh's mother) loves to cook Vietnamese food and always teaches her son about love for his homeland. It was her mother who inspired the former captain of the U.16 France team to decide to return to Vietnam to contribute.

Not only do Quang Vinh and his wife learn Vietnamese together every day, but his children are also taught Vietnamese at school, in addition to English and French. He confided: "My family is happy in Vietnam. I want my children to speak Vietnamese well. I love life in Vietnam and want to stay in Vietnam for a long time." He also taught himself to sing the Vietnamese National Anthem. Recently, he practiced singing and recorded a clip to post on social media.

"I saw Nguyen Xuan Son shine at the AFF Cup 2024. I am very happy to see a Vietnamese player with foreign blood being loved and supported wholeheartedly by fans. I also long to play for the Vietnamese team. I want to show the world what Vietnamese players can do. I am ready to devote myself," Quang Vinh concluded.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/cao-pendant-quang-vinh-cau-thu-viet-nam-co-the-choi-tot-o-phap-duc-185250507194446105.htm