'Monstrous' defenders nearly 1.9 m tall: New support for the Vietnamese team

The Vietnam national team under coach Kim Sang-sik promises to form a defense with ideal height. The combination of domestic players and overseas Vietnamese and naturalized foreign players is expected to create a new 'wall'.

In the past, the defense was the foundation of the success of the Vietnamese team. However, it cannot be denied that the key players in the tactical system of the Golden Star team are often at a disadvantage when facing opponents with a physical style of play and tall stature. Central defenders such as Bui Tien Dung, Do Duy Manh, Tran Dinh Trong... are highly appreciated for their ability to predict, but are clearly limited in high ball situations. That is one of the reasons why Vietnam finds it difficult to defend against the tall, powerful strikers of Malaysia, Indonesia or West Asian teams.

With many key defenders past their prime, the Vietnamese team naturally needs to be upgraded. And at this point, coach Kim Sang-sik has embarked on a rebuilding project, aiming to create a very different look for the team: tall, solid, and not afraid of collision.

In the goalkeeper position, the Vietnamese team currently has "tall" faces such as Nguyen Filip (1.92 m, Hanoi Police Club) or Tran Trung Kien (1.91 m, HAGL). Not to mention, if the naturalization process is successful, the goal will also have the presence of Patrik Le Giang (1.88 m), a goalkeeper of Vietnamese-Slovak blood who is a reliable stopper at Ho Chi Minh City Police Club.

Recently, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism sent an official dispatch to the Ministry of Justice to request consideration of naturalization for player Sant Ana Santos Gustavo.

PHOTOS OF DA NANG CLUB

Center back Gustavo is getting very close to the Vietnam national team.

The defense line will likely see the most dramatic changes in the near future. The most notable name is Gustavo Sant Ana (1.95 m, Da Nang) - a Brazilian player who has been with the V-League for more than 5 years and is being promoted to naturalize. At the same time, the domestic central defenders also have ideal heights: Dinh Quang Kiet (1.95 m, HAGL), Bui Hoang Viet Anh (1.84 m, Hanoi Police Club), or Nguyen Thanh Binh (1.83 m, The Cong Viettel ). Compared to the older generation, this generation is not only younger but also physically superior.

Besides, Colonna Kyle Nino (1.85 m, Viettel The Cong) is also in a similar situation to Gustavo. Players currently playing for Vietnam U.23 such as Pham Ly Duc (1.82 m, Hanoi Police Club), Nguyen Hieu Minh (1.84 m, PVF-CAND Club) are also very potential.

If coach Kim Sang-sik has all the names mentioned above, the Vietnamese team will have a defense with ideal physique. The 10 players in the system including Filip, Trung Kien, Patrik Le Giang, Gustavo, Quang Kiet, Viet Anh, Thanh Binh, Colonna, Ly Duc, Hieu Minh have an average height of up to 1.879 m.

Fans have every reason to believe that Vietnam will possess a truly "terrifying" defense, where high balls are no longer a concern, and certainty is raised to a new level.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/hang-thu-khung-cao-gan-19-m-diem-tua-moi-cua-doi-tuyen-viet-nam-185250923130633058.htm