Vietnam team will defend better against Malaysia

The closer the match against Malaysia (June 10), coach Kim Sang-sik receives more and more positive signals from the defense as the defenders have regained their form.

MORE OPTIONS FOR THE TEAM

The Vietnamese team won the AFF Cup 2024 thanks to a solid and brave defense, with only 6 goals conceded after 8 matches. Coach Kim Sang-sik made good use of the foundation left by Park Hang-seo, with a defensive formation of 3 central defenders, along with experienced "guards" guarding the penalty area. That trio is Nguyen Thanh Chung (center), Do Duy Manh (right wing) and Bui Tien Dung (left wing), along with two energetic wings with Nguyen Van Vi, Khuat Van Khang (left wing) and Truong Tien Anh, Vu Van Thanh (right wing).

Duy Manh (left) is the leader of the Vietnamese team's defense.

Photo: VFF

In the match against Malaysia in June in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers at Bukit Jalil Stadium, the defense needs to continue to be the mainstay of the Vietnamese team. According to expert Doan Minh Xuong, although coach Kim Sang-sik has changed the way of playing in a more proactive direction, pushing the defense up to put pressure while actively pressing (when not in possession) and controlling the rhythm of play (when in possession), in general, the defense is still the foundation that coach Kim wants to ensure for Vietnam. That is the common mindset of Korean coaches: cautious, safe and emphasizing discipline.

Good news for coach Kim Sang-sik, as the defensive players are all in good form. Thanh Chung and Duy Manh are the top choices for Hanoi FC and have made their mark in the unbeaten streak to climb to second place in the table. Tien Dung and Thanh Binh had a quiet time with The Cong Viettel in the second leg, but with the appearance of a good strategist in physical training and tactics like Velizar Popov, both have a good momentum to make a strong comeback. Bui Hoang Viet Anh has fully recovered and is playing the role of defense leader of Hanoi Police FC (CAHN CLB).

In the training session at the end of May, coach Kim Sang-sik is likely to call up Cao Pendant Quang Vinh. The former captain of the French U.16 team has played 28 matches for CAHN Club this season (the most among the potential players) and has shown stable performance. With nearly 10 years of playing football in France and the US, Quang Vinh will bring "steel" to the defense that coach Kim Sang-sik wants to assemble.

FUN COMPETITION

At the 2024 AFF Cup, the Vietnamese team has a good defense, but lacks competitiveness. Thanh Binh cannot compete with Tien Dung in the role of left center back, because the player born in 2000 does not pass well and does not have the same experience as his senior at The Cong Viettel. In the right center back position, coach Kim Sang-sik trusts Duy Manh instead of Viet Anh. As for the center of defense, Thanh Chung is an irreplaceable option. Therefore, the "trident" Duy Manh, Thanh Chung and Tien Dung have accompanied each other for most of the tournament.

Although the pillars are still playing well, it is clear that the Vietnamese team's defense will be stronger if there are more options and competition to promote. In the next training session, the defense line will be disrupted in a positive direction. Viet Anh is in very good form at CAHN Club. He defends well, reads the situation well to cover for his teammates and continues his scoring streak with 4 goals this season. With his ability confirmed when wearing the captain's armband under coach Philippe Troussier at the 2023 Asian Cup, along with good attacking skills to bring more scoring solutions, Viet Anh is ready to challenge for the starting position.

Quang Vinh is also an interesting piece, as he can play both left-back and left-sided center-back. "Of course I feel more comfortable playing left-back, but I can play in any position the coach requires," Quang Vinh said and shared with Thanh Nien : "I believe I have good technique, dribbling and dribbling, and reading situations well. If called upon, I will try to show myself."

At CAHN Club, Quang Vinh played a few matches as a left-sided center-back. He played well when defending well, with many passes or suddenly dribbling from the defense straight to the front line. Quang Vinh's ability to hold the ball and penetrate is a quality that the remaining defenders of the Vietnamese team do not have. With a playing style that still emphasizes defense but aims for initiative (in the development of the ball, pushing high to create pressure) that coach Kim Sang-sik favors, all-round defenders like Quang Vinh or Viet Anh will bring a breath of fresh air.

Under the guidance of coach Kim, the Vietnamese team does not retreat deep to defend in a classic or safe way, but needs to respond to many different styles of play, even participating in controlling the rhythm of play or scoring goals. Against an opponent who understands them too well like Malaysia, creating a new and elusive appearance is the key to victory for Vietnam. And in terms of using people or improving the playing style, coach Kim Sang-sik has never disappointed the audience.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/doi-tuyen-viet-nam-se-phong-ngu-tot-hon-truoc-malaysia-185250508214138363.htm