Positive signs from the younger generation.

YOUTH SPEAKS OUT

The Vietnamese national team defeated Nam Dinh FC 3-2 in a friendly match on October 9th. Although it was only a backup option (as the Lebanese team did not come to Vietnam), it provided coach Kim Sang-sik with several important conclusions. A positive sign from this match was that the young players, including Nguyen Thai Son and Bui Vi Hao, both demonstrated their class.

Thai Son (right) is improving with each match.

In the first half, Nam Dinh FC fielded a team indistinguishable from a foreign team, with seven foreign players and naturalized striker Nguyen Xuan Son in the starting lineup. The Vietnamese team was overwhelmed, forced to retreat deep into defense, and conceded two goals from aerial situations.

Although Vietnam's midfield was overwhelmed by muscular foreign players like Hendrio Araujo and Joseph Mpande, Nguyen Thai Son played with great effort. Besides scoring a goal, the 21-year-old midfielder moved constantly to coordinate and connect the ball flow from defense to attack. Thai Son isn't strong in one-on-one challenges, but he plays with great intensity, pressing opponents diligently, giving Vietnam's midfield more fighting spirit and preventing them from being overwhelmed by the opponent's pressure. This is the kind of energy that coach Kim Sang-sik needs from his players to meet the intensity of high-level football. Trained by a strategist who favors a fierce and scientific style of play like Velizar Popov at Thanh Hoa FC, Thai Son is improving compared to last year, when he was given the opportunity to play for the national team by coach Philippe Troussier. At 21, Thai Son still has room to develop both physically and mentally.

Young striker Vi Hao also made his mark with two goals, playing a key role in Vietnam's comeback. The player born in 2003 scored the equalizer at 2-2 with a quick finish in a chaotic situation in front of the goal. He then scored the winning goal with a decisive volley, following a well-executed attack down the right wing by his teammate.

Having been praised by coach Kim Sang-sik as "energetic and well-rounded" in the friendly matches against Russia and Thailand, Vi Hao was given more opportunities to penetrate the penalty area in the match against Nam Dinh FC, given that striker Nguyen Tien Linh was absent due to injury. Living up to expectations, the 21-year-old striker fulfilled his nhiệm vụ.

A NEW BEGINNING

It's too early to judge Thai Son's position, as the Vietnamese national team has many talented midfielders like Hoang Duc, Quang Hai, Tuan Anh, and Hung Dung. Similarly, Vi Hao has to compete with Tien Linh, Van Toan, Tuan Hai, and Dinh Bac if he wants a place. Shining in an internal training match, with very low pressure, isn't something to be proud of.

However, each good performance serves as a stepping stone for young players to gain more confidence. This is also the criterion that coach Kim Sang-sik wants from his young players: not hesitating to strive and compete fairly for a place in the team.

The South Korean coach affirmed that he has seen the potential of Vietnamese football blossoming. He has called up nine young players for this training camp. Some have already proven themselves, such as Thai Son and Vi Hao, while others are eagerly awaiting their chance to demonstrate their abilities and be selected by Coach Kim, such as Dinh Bac, Quoc Viet, Van Viet, and Trung Kien…

Properly nurturing young players, blending veteran and new talents so that senior players can guide younger ones, and seizing opportunities in every match are all tasks that require a sound strategy from the Vietnamese national team's coaching staff. When coaching Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Coach Kim Sang-sik and Technical Director Park Ji-sung drastically rejuvenated the squad in the 2022-2023 season. As a legend of the Korean national league, having started with the first team at a very young age, Coach Kim likely understands how precious the trust placed in young talents is.

We cannot rush into developing young talents prematurely, but we also cannot hesitate and let their enthusiasm diminish, especially when the Vietnamese national team desperately needs a fresh start to create momentum for the AFF Cup.

Today (October 11th), the Vietnamese national team will travel to Nam Dinh to familiarize themselves with the stadium before competing against India on October 12th. In their last encounter with India, Van Lam and his teammates won 3-0. In that match, young players like Nguyen Thanh Nhan and Khuat Van Khang scored. Will these young players once again create a sensation in the rematch at Thien Truong Stadium?

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/doi-tuyen-viet-nam-tin-hieu-tot-tu-lop-tre-185241010224219811.htm