Vietnam team builds an all-Western defense: Determined to beat Malaysia and win the AFF Cup

The Vietnamese national team could witness a historic transition in defense, with starting positions going to overseas Vietnamese and naturalized foreign players.

The Vietnamese national team is rebuilding its defense.

The defense was the foundation of the Vietnamese national team's success during its golden era (2018-2022) under coach Park Hang-seo.

With goalkeeper Van Lam, and central defenders Duy Manh, Thanh Chung, Ngoc Hai, Tien Dung, Dinh Trong, Viet Anh, Thanh Binh... Coach Park's team once held the record for keeping a clean sheet in 12 consecutive group stage matches at the AFF Cup in 2018, 2020, and 2022, keeping a clean sheet on the way to the final of the AFF Cup 2022, and conceding only 5 goals in 8 matches in the second round of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

The Vietnamese team (in red jerseys) haven't defended well enough.

PHOTO: NGOC LINH

However, the defense of that golden generation could not defeat time. The pillars who once "supported" the team's success have gradually declined due to age, injuries, decreased fitness, and motivation... At this time, coach Kim Sang-sik still has Thanh Chung, Duy Manh, and Tien Dung at his disposal, but their form is no longer at its peak.

The Vietnamese national team won the 2024 AFF Cup thanks to the "wingers" Xuan Son. The Brazilian-born striker shone with 7 goals, helping Kim's team compensate for defensive weaknesses with offensive prowess. Because Xuan Son was so outstanding, even though the Vietnamese team conceded 4 goals in the last 3 matches, they were still able to claim the title. Without Xuan Son, the Vietnamese team faltered again, making many mistakes in the 0-4 loss to Malaysia (2027 Asian Cup qualifiers).

No solid foundation can be built with a weak and unreliable defense. That's why Mr. Kim and his assistants called up many new defenders in the recent training camp, such as Hoang Phuc (Ho Chi Minh City Police FC), Quang Kiet, Du Hoc (HAGL), Van Toi ( Nam Dinh )... to assemble and test.

However, the 7 goals conceded in 2 internal friendly matches against Nam Dinh and Hanoi Police FC show that, although the key players have declined, the new recruits are not yet good enough to replace them, and young players like Ly Duc, Hieu Minh, Nhat Minh, Van Ha... still need time.

The Vietnamese national team (in blue jerseys) lost by 4 goals to Nam Dinh Club.

PHOTO: VFF

The rebuilding process will continue as coach Kim Sang-sik has identified a pool of players to mold: Vietnamese expatriates and naturalized foreign players.

Reconstruction

The defense, with center-backs like Tien Dung (1.72 m), Duy Manh (1.8 m), and Thanh Chung (1.82 m), was completely outmatched when competing against Malaysia's tall, strong, and physically powerful forwards.

To make their mark in Asia again, the Vietnamese national team clearly needs to add stronger and more muscular central defenders, because in football, no tactic can work if the players can't win the ball.

Through the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), coach Kim Sang-sik has sent a message to center-back Gustavo Sant Ana. The 30-year-old player possesses an impressive height of 1.95 m. In his five years playing in the V-League, Gustavo has been a solid defensive shield for clubs such as SLNA, Thanh Hoa, Saigon, and now Da Nang . Coach Kim hopes Gustavo will be a "lighthouse" helping the Vietnamese national team defend against aerial balls and compete more effectively.

Gustavo has been offered Vietnamese citizenship.

PHOTO: DA NANG CLUB

Besides Gustavo, the Vietnamese national team is also awaiting good news from other Vietnamese-born central defenders such as Adou Minh (Hanoi Police FC), Kyle Colonna (The Cong Viettel), and goalkeeper Patrik Le Giang (Ho Chi Minh City Police FC).

Adou Minh proved his ability by being included in the V-League Team of the Season last year. The player born in 1997 plays directly, reliably, and has good tackling and interception skills. Kyle Colonna was quiet in his first season with Hanoi FC, but has now become a "steel wall" helping The Cong Viettel soar to the top of the league.

As for Patrik Le Giang, his outstanding performances at the Ho Chi Minh City Police Football Club from 2023 to the present are more than enough to demonstrate the capabilities of this Vietnamese expatriate of Slovakian origin.

Within the next year, Vietnamese expatriates and naturalized foreign players are likely to soon become Vietnamese citizens. If these players successfully obtain Vietnamese citizenship, the Vietnamese national team will have a strong defensive lineup with goalkeepers Nguyen Filip and Patrik Le Giang, center-backs Gustavo, Adou Minh, Kyle Colonna, and full-back Cao Pendant Quang Vinh.

Patrik Lê Giang (right) plays consistently well for the Ho Chi Minh City Police Club.

PHOTO: KHA HOA

The addition of Vietnamese expatriates and foreign players promises to create a solid defense, with good physique, a tough playing style, and European experience, ensuring the Vietnamese national team won't be overwhelmed when facing teams with many naturalized players like Malaysia and Indonesia.

To serve the short-term plans for the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers and the 2026 AFF Cup, Kim Sang-sik needs a radical overhaul.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/doi-tuyen-viet-nam-xay-hang-thu-toan-tay-quyet-thang-malaysia-va-vo-dich-aff-cup-185250921211305752.htm