What's 'strange' about the Vietnam team?

THE FRAME IS GRADUALLY REVEALED

On the afternoon of November 18, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) announced the list of 30 players to prepare for the AFF Cup 2024. Based on previous gatherings, we can clearly see that the Vietnamese team's framework under coach Kim Sang-sik is gradually being completed with the "backbone" axis, Nguyen Filip, Thanh Chung, Nguyen Thanh Binh, Quang Hai, Hoang Duc, Tien Linh. These are all players who have been given many opportunities to compete throughout the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup to the FIFA Days series in September and October. In the V-League, the above group of players also played at a stable level or better. In particular, Tien Linh is a prominent factor with 7 goals and is leading the list of top scorers in the domestic league.

The Vietnamese team is combining key players like Tien Linh (left) and some new faces like Ngoc Tan.

PHOTO: DONG NGUYEN KHANG – MINH TU

The wing positions also show their “thickness”. On the right wing, Xuan Manh and Van Thanh are still trusted names and will be given opportunities. On the opposite wing, it is likely that Van Khang or Ho Tan Tai, a versatile player, will be given opportunities. On the attack line, a series of quality wingers are called Dinh Bac, Tuan Hai, Vi Hao and most likely Van Toan (the temporary team list does not have any Nam Dinh club players because Van Toan and his teammates still have to compete in the AFC Champions League Two. It will not be until December 4 that Nam Dinh team completes this task. At that time, coach Kim Sang-sik will announce the Nam Dinh players called up to the team).

That number of personnel is enough to create positive competition within the Vietnamese team, helping coach Kim Sang-sik have diversity in using personnel for each opponent, each time of the match at the AFF Cup. And when the framework has taken shape, coach Kim Sang-sik calculates to experiment with some positions to create the element of surprise. At this time, opportunities will open up for many new faces.

WHEN WILL THE OFFICIAL LIST BE CLOSED?

The Vietnamese team will gather on November 21 in Hanoi and train in Korea from November 23 to December 3. Before the opening match against Laos on December 9 in the AFF Cup group stage, Mr. Kim Sang-sik will finalize the official list of 26 players.

SURPRISES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR "STRANGE BIRDS"

Coach Kim Sang-sik has a good reason for not calling up Que Ngoc Hai, Do Hung Dung and Nguyen Cong Phuong. As the 2024 AFF Cup approaches, the Korean strategist must select players based on their form to minimize risks. Unfortunately, at this time, the veterans of the Vietnamese team under coach Park Hang-seo are not in their best form. Ngoc Hai is still very good at launching attacks, reading situations, commanding the defense... but he no longer has the physical strength to gain an advantage in one-on-one battles and is often exploited by lofted passes behind his back.

Similarly, Hung Dung is no longer the tireless midfielder. As for Cong Phuong, his return to the Vietnam national team may not come soon enough. Even coach Anh Duc of Binh Phuoc Club admitted that the striker from Nghe An has not reached his best form since returning from Japan and needs to try harder.

Coach Kim Sang-sik of course has plans to replace these absences. In the center-back position, he still has Duy Manh, Viet Anh, Tien Dung and now Ho Tan Tai. Recently, this right-back was assigned by coach Hoang Anh Tuan to play center-back at Binh Duong Club and performed quite well. Mr. Tuan even rated Tai as the top quality domestic center-back in V-League. In the midfield, the midfield duo of Thanh Hoa Club, Doan Ngoc Tan - Nguyen Thai Son, can replace Hung Dung.

Doan Ngoc Tan - the surprise factor

Thai Son is expected

These two players are in very good form, contributing greatly to helping the Thanh team take the top spot in the V-League. As for Ngoc Tan, this is the first time he has been called up to the Vietnam national team, so the 30-year-old midfielder will certainly be very enthusiastic and determined to perform. In addition, Hai Long and Van Truong are also ready to be a new source of energy thanks to their youth. As for Bao Toan and Ngoc Quang, the players who have helped HAGL show an impressive performance this season are capable of bringing fresh features to the attack.

The new faces were promoted to the Vietnamese national team thanks to their good performance in the V-League. However, to be able to stay, they need to try their best because the competition in the upcoming training trip will be very fierce.

Q UEN NGOC HAI , MR. PHUONG IS ABSENT

Goalkeepers (4): Nguyen Filip (CAHN Club), Dang Van Lam (Ninh Binh Club), Nguyen Dinh Trieu (Hai Phong Club), Tran Trung Kien (HAGL).

Defenders (9): Vu Van Thanh, Bui Hoang Viet Anh (CAHN Club); Nguyen Thanh Binh, Truong Tien Anh, Bui Tien Dung (The Cong Viettel Club); Nguyen Thanh Chung, Pham Xuan Manh, Do Duy Manh (Hanoi Club); Ho Tan Tai (Binh Duong Club).

Midfielders (11): Nguyen Quang Hai, Le Pham Thanh Long, Phan Van Duc (CAHN Club); Khuat Van Khang (The Cong Viettel Club); Nguyen Van Truong, Nguyen Hai Long (Hanoi Club); Chau Ngoc Quang, Tran Bao Toan (HAGL); Nguyen Thai Son, Doan Ngoc Tan (Thanh Hoa Club); Nguyen Hoang Duc (Ninh Binh Club).

Forwards (6): Nguyen Tien Linh, Bui Vi Hao (Binh Duong Club); Pham Tuan Hai (Hanoi Club); Nguyen Dinh Bac (CAHN Club); Dinh Thanh Binh, Nguyen Quoc Viet (Ninh Binh Club).