Vietnam team looking for partner for Hoang Duc, opportunity for young star of U.23 Vietnam

The Vietnamese team will face important tests, in which coach Kim Sang-sik is especially looking for a suitable partner to play with Hoang Duc in midfield.

Hoang Duc is currently the best midfielder in Vietnamese football.

Photo: Minh Tu

Vietnam team looking for 'other half' for Hoang Duc

Since joining the Vietnam national team under coach Park Hang-seo, midfielder Hoang Duc has always been an important pillar in the midfield, playing with Tuan Anh, Quang Hai, Hung Dung and most recently with Ngoc Tan to win the 2024 AFF Cup championship.

However, it is very difficult for Ngoc Tan to maintain his high performance at the age of 31, especially when the continuous hard work on many fronts has caused this midfielder to often suffer injuries recently.

Coach Kim Sang-sik: Focus on the match with Nepal, regretful of Quang Hai's absence

Fortunately, Ngoc Tan was absent in the two matches we played against the underdog Nepal, which will allow coach Kim Sang-sik to take advantage of this opportunity to find a long-term partner in midfield for Hoang Duc.

At this time, the most prominent name mentioned is Duc Chien, a close friend from the field to real life, who has always worked side by side with Hoang Duc from The Cong Viettel Club to Ninh Binh FC.

Duc Chien (left cover) is playing well for Ninh Binh FC alongside his close friend Hoang Duc.

Photo: Minh Tu

True to his name, Duc Chien possesses great physical strength, competitive ability and fighting spirit to complement Hoang Duc's technical, creative and graceful rhythm.

Duc Chien's talent is unquestionable. However, the key to his starting position in the match against Nepal will be his compatibility with the system and playing philosophy that coach Kim Sang-sik wants to apply to upgrade the Vietnamese team.

In fact, Mr. Kim has called Duc Chien's name many times but also sometimes ignored him in training sessions since leading the Vietnamese team more than a year ago. Therefore, Duc Chien's chance will probably lie in his ability to adapt to Mr. Kim's requirements.

Opportunity for young stars of U.23 Vietnam

In this training session, in addition to Duc Chien, coach Kim Sang-sik also called up central midfielder Thanh Long and U.23 Vietnam national team player Xuan Bac, but did not add anyone even though Quang Hai was later injured and had to miss the two matches against Nepal.

Xuan Bac (right cover) will have the opportunity to debut for the Vietnamese team in the match against Nepal.

Photo: Dong Nguyen Khang

Thanh Long was once used by Mr. Kim in the Vietnamese national team and is also playing very well with Quang Hai, helping the Hanoi Police Club have the most effective attacking and ball control style in the V-League.

However, like Duc Chien, it seems that Jackie Chan still lacks something to fully integrate into the football system that Mr. Kim wants to see.

Quang Hai is also an important candidate, having actually partnered with Hoang Duc in the 3-4-3 formation in the Vietnam national team under coach Park Hang-seo and later occasionally with Mr. Kim.

However, like Jackie Chan, Quang Hai still cannot provide the best complement to Hoang Duc's playing style, as Ngoc Tan with his abundant energy created at the AFF Cup 2024.

Mr. Kim is considering tests against a suitable opponent, Nepal.

Photo: Dong Nguyen Khang

In that situation, the opportunity will open up for Xuan Bac, who is being used by coach Kim Sang-sik in the role of the lowest central midfielder in the U.23 Vietnam midfield, both protecting the defense and taking on the role of escaping pressing and bringing the ball up.

In terms of physique, Xuan Bac is inferior to Duc Chien, and is not as experienced as Thanh Long and Quang Hai. But he has the youth to play at high intensity, and the suitability that Mr. Kim is looking for, especially the very bright opening passes up front.

It is likely that Mr. Kim will give Xuan Bac a chance to debut for the Vietnam national team in the next match. But to ensure certainty, it will not be surprising if the Korean strategist chooses the experience of Thanh Long or Quang Hai, or the understanding between Duc Chien and Hoang Duc before giving Xuan Bac a chance in the second half.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/doi-tuyen-viet-nam-tim-doi-tac-cho-hoang-duc-co-hoi-cua-sao-tre-u23-viet-nam-185251008163339158.htm