Cao Pendant Quang Vinh competes with Van Vi for the starting position: It is not known who is better!

Cao Pendant Quang Vinh and Van Vi: Each has their own style

As soon as he obtained Vietnamese citizenship, defender Cao Pendant Quang Vinh was called up to the national team by coach Kim Sang-sik. This was an understandable decision by the Korean coach, as Quang Vinh had both class and form.

Trained and playing in France for nearly a decade, Cao Pendant Quang Vinh is the perfect blend of physique, strength and the playing mindset of a pure European-class player.

Cao Pendant Quang Vinh has his first call-up to the national team

PHOTO: CAHN CLUB

Playing in Sochaux, going to the US to play for New York Red Bulls, returning to France to play for Quevilly or coming to Vietnam to adventure at Hanoi Police Club (CAHN Club), Cao Pendant Quang Vinh has been tested in many different environments, adapting to many playing styles to shape his abilities.

The player born in 1997 is an all-round defender, with the ability to attack and defend rhythmically, good physical foundation, neat ball handling, few unnecessary movements and high efficiency. Quang Vinh is durable, as evidenced by the fact that in 22 out of 31 matches for CAHN Club this season, he plowed through the full 90 minutes. The former Sochaux defender has won the trust of coach Alexandre Polking and is a very difficult option to replace on the left wing.

However, that does not mean that Cao Pendant Quang Vinh automatically has a starting position in the Vietnam national team. Because coach Kim Sang-sik has another quality left-back: Nguyen Van Vi of Nam Dinh Club.

Van Vi is Mr. Kim's most unique discovery. Before the AFF Cup 2024, the defender born in 1996 was out of the "radar" of the Vietnamese national team's coaching staff. However, his impressive form, eagerness to learn, and versatile style of play have transformed Van Vi from "unknown" to now an important factor on the left flank.

Van Vi (red shirt) exploded on the left wing

PHOTO: NGOC LINH

Van Vi played all 8 matches (4 starts) in the AFF Cup 2024 and scored in his debut match. Then in the match against Laos in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, the Nam Dinh defender scored a double, with effective scoring moves.

Cao Pendant Quang Vinh may be more experienced in attack and defense, but remember, Van Vi has been involved in Vietnamese football for a long time. He also understands his teammates and has an advantage in communication. Each player has his own strengths, and the starting position will be reserved for the most suitable player, instead of the best player in theory.

New position for Quang Vinh?

"I feel I am best suited to the role of left-back. I can climb the wing, hold the ball and dribble. I have speed, technique and the ability to read the game. However, I am a professional player, so wherever I am placed, I need to try to show myself. I can also play as a left-wing center-back," Cao Pendant Quang Vinh shared with Thanh Nien Newspaper.

Besides left back, Cao Pendant Quang Vinh can also play left center back, where he was used by coach Polking in some matches.

Cao Pendant Quang Vinh is a versatile player.

PHOTO: CAHN CLUB

Although only 1.78 m tall, Quang Vinh is persistent in his pursuit and competition, and his headers are also impressive. The defender of Vietnamese-French descent can add "steel" to the defense if he is pulled deeper into the center.

In the Vietnam national team, the left center-back position belongs to Bui Tien Dung. The center-back born in 1995 has to play in a "wrong foot" position (right footed but plays left), but still performs well thanks to good defense and effective long passes with accurate cross-field kicks.

However, Cao Pendant Quang Vinh will bring a new attacking solution if he plays as a left-sided center back, because he is left-footed, can pull the ball, dribble directly without having to turn the pivot. At CAHN Club, Quang Vinh often dribbled the ball straight from the defense to the front line, causing the opponent's defense to be displaced.

Previously, the Vietnam team did not lack good passing center backs, however, there were very few players who could pull the ball and dribble in the back line to create an additional solution for deploying the ball.

Cao Pendant Quang Vinh is ready to make a difference. The two-week training period will help coach Kim Sang-sik assess his potential and choose the right position for his student.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/cao-pendant-quang-vinh-tranh-suat-da-chinh-voi-van-vi-chua-biet-ai-hon-ai-185250523053231682.htm