Should I play a supporting role or establish my position in the Vietnamese national team?

HAGL places its trust in Chau Ngoc Quang.

Chau Ngoc Quang is a familiar yet unfamiliar face in the Vietnamese national team. Ngoc Quang was promoted to the HAGL first team to play in the V-League in 2016, but the journey of the player born in 1996 in the mountainous region has been full of hardships.

Despite playing 25 matches in the 2017 season, contributing significantly to his team's survival in the league, Ngoc Quang was repeatedly loaned out afterward. While his teammates secured starting positions and took turns playing for the national team, Ngoc Quang wandered to Dak Lak, The Cong Viettel , and Hai Phong. It wasn't until the end of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers that the midfielder was finally tested by coach Park Hang-seo, only for the pandemic to snatch away that opportunity as well.

Chau Ngoc Quang in HAGL jersey

With so many difficulties, many players might give up. But for Ngoc Quang, the concept of "surrender" doesn't exist. Beneath his small, slender frame lies a fiery playing style, determination, and the willpower to overcome adversity.

Chau Ngoc Quang participated in the 2022 AFF Cup, making his mark with a long-range shot against Myanmar in Vietnam's 3-0 victory. Although that was Ngoc Quang's most recent impressive performance for the national team in the past two years, it doesn't mean the HAGL midfielder doesn't deserve the award.

In contrast, Ngoc Quang was chosen by coach Kim Sang-sik because he is currently one of the most consistent and resilient midfielders in the V-League this season. He has played all 9 matches for HAGL since the beginning of the season (740 minutes), contributing 3 goals. The 28-year-old midfielder can press continuously and is not afraid to confront bigger, stronger players. This is the kind of "passion" that the Vietnamese national team's midfield is lacking.

In the match against India in October, Ngoc Quang was positioned in midfield alongside Le Pham Thanh Long. Although he didn't score or provide assists, the 28-year-old midfielder still contributed to the team's play thanks to his aggressiveness, enthusiasm, and tireless runs. With a bit more luck, Ngoc Quang could have scored with a dangerous left-footed curling shot that narrowly missed the post.

Ngoc Quang (number 8) has to compete with many formidable opponents.

For coach Kim Sang-sik, this performance was enough for him to be given another chance to prove himself. Ngoc Quang will have another 10 days in South Korea to convince coach Kim to give him a starting spot. Although the Vietnamese national team's midfield is already crowded with talented players, if he is resourceful, Ngoc Quang still has a chance to break into the team.

It's difficult for Trung Kien and Bao Toan.

The other two HAGL players called up to the Vietnamese national team are goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien and midfielder Tran Bao Toan.

Unlike Chau Ngoc Quang, the chances of these two players competing are very low. Trung Kien is only the fourth-choice goalkeeper, behind senior players of superior caliber such as Nguyen Filip, Dang Van Lam, and Nguyen Dinh Trieu.

Trung Kien has only played 16 matches in the V-League. Possessing good height (1.90 m) and showing potential after 8 starts since the beginning of the season, the goalkeeper born in 2003 is more of a choice for the future than for the present.

Goalkeeper Trung Kien (number 42) is only 21 years old.

Along with Nguyen Van Viet (SLNA), he is one of the young goalkeepers being "planned" for the 33rd SEA Games in December 2025. Although he cannot yet compete for a position, each national team training camp, learning from senior players like Van Lam and Filip, and especially being coached by legendary South Korean goalkeeper Lee Won-jae, will provide valuable experience for Trung Kien to mature.

Similarly, midfielder Bao Toan faces competition, whether playing on the wing or as an attacking midfielder. The wing positions already have good wingers like Van Khang, Tan Tai, Xuan Manh, and Van Thanh, while the attacking midfield has players like Vi Hao, Quang Hai, Van Duc, and Hai Long...

The fact that they haven't yet established themselves in any particular position is a hurdle, making it difficult for HAGL players to convince coach Kim.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/sao-hagl-lam-nen-hay-khang-dinh-vi-tri-o-doi-tuyen-viet-nam-185241125111411499.htm