Doan Ngoc Tan's warrior spirit

Ngoc Tan's "warrior" spirit was clearly demonstrated in his journey to establish himself in the V-League. In the 2021 season, he left Hai Phong FC and moved to Thanh Hoa FC to seek new challenges. However, he didn't have a smooth start. Initially, Ngoc Tan wasn't Coach Popov's first choice in midfield. However, his perseverance and hard work in training earned him opportunities.

Midfielder Doan Ngoc Tan was called up to the Vietnamese national team at the age of 30.

In the 2023-2024 season, Le Pham Thanh Long moved to Hanoi Police FC, leaving a seemingly insurmountable void in Thanh Hoa FC's midfield. Ngoc Tan was immediately given the opportunity and impressed. He started 24 out of 25 matches for Thanh Hoa FC, scoring 4 goals and now wearing the captain's armband. In the 2024-2025 season, he started 8 matches, making a significant contribution to Thanh Hoa FC's current 8-match unbeaten streak and their position at the top of the league table.

Ngoc Tan's individual performance was rewarded with a place in the Vietnamese national team squad for the 2024 AFF Cup, thanks to coach Kim Sang-sik's inclusion. Ngoc Tan also demonstrated a proactive and receptive attitude, actively seeking advice from his younger teammate Nguyen Thai Son about coach Kim Sang-sik's playing style and tactical formations to adapt quickly to the Vietnamese national team. During the training camp in South Korea, the midfielder born in 1994 was also given opportunities to play and showcase his skills.

If he catches the eye of coach Kim Sang-sik, Ngoc Tan could bring a lot of value. He is a hardworking, enthusiastic, and passionate midfielder who isn't afraid of physical contact. If the Vietnamese national team plays with two central midfielders, Ngoc Tan's "steel" would be a perfect complement to the "poetic" style of "artists" like Hoang Duc and Quang Hai. If coach Kim Sang-sik uses three central midfielders, he would have even more room to maneuver, as coach Popov also does the same at Thanh Hoa FC. Furthermore, coach Kim Sang-sik always prefers energetic players, while Ngoc Tan's strengths lie in his physical fitness and enthusiasm. In addition, he possesses a very dangerous "weapon": his excellent long-range shooting ability with both feet. Throughout his career, he has surprised opposing goalkeepers many times with his powerful shots. National team player Dang Van Lam has also been a "victim" of the Thanh Hoa FC midfielder.

At the age of 30, Ngoc Tan is making his debut for the Vietnamese national team and has the opportunity to participate in a major tournament like the AFF Cup. Therefore, his desire to prove himself will be very strong, and that is a favorable factor in competing for a position on the Vietnamese national team.

Thanhnien.vn

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/chat-chien-binh-cua-doan-ngoc-tan-185241129192619663.htm