The center back who scores as well as a striker is back: Great news for coach Kim!

The versatile center-back shines again

In the 2-0 victory over PSM Makassar on the evening of April 30 (second leg of the Southeast Asian Cup C1 semi-final), central defender Bui Hoang Viet Anh was one of the best players on the Hanoi Police Club (CAHN Club).

The player born in 1999, together with Hugo Gomes and Cao Pendant Quang Vinh, created a solid wall in front of Nguyen Filip's goal. Viet Anh judged and read the situation well and coordinated smoothly with his teammates to stop Makassar's counter-attacks. Besides his good one-on-one skills, Viet Anh also showed his strength in covering up to intercept and correct his teammates' mistakes.

Bui Hoang Viet Anh (red shirt) scores against PSM Makassar

PHOTO: MINH TU

Not only defending well, Viet Anh also scored an important goal, ending Makassar's faint hope. In the 60th minute, the 26-year-old central defender controlled the ball neatly in the penalty area, transferred the ball to his left foot and then skillfully adjusted to double the gap. The technical handling was not inferior to that of a striker, which was unfamiliar to central defenders, but very familiar to Viet Anh.

The former Hanoi FC midfielder was once praised for his scoring ability. However, that ability does not come purely from luck, but is the result of skillful and diverse ball handling skills that have created Viet Anh's brand.

The 2024-2025 season has not been smooth for Bui Hoang Viet Anh. The 1999-born central defender has missed 7 matches in the V-League this season due to injury. He injured his cruciate ligament after the match against Buriram United in the Southeast Asian Cup 1 in August 2024, leading to his suspension from competition. In March, Viet Anh had to leave the Vietnam national team due to a knee injury. When the CAHN club central defender was in pain, coach Kim Sang-sik asked the doctor of the Vietnam national team to determine his condition, then agreed to return him to the team for treatment.

Intermittent injuries, combined with a return period when his leg had not fully recovered, made Bui Hoang Viet Anh quiet in the first half of the season.

However, when CAHN Club needed him, Viet Anh made a timely comeback. In the quarter-final match of the 2024 - 2025 National Cup, Viet Anh neatly finished with his right foot to score against Hai Phong Club to help his team win 3-1. In last night's match, it was another finish, but this time with his left foot, bringing a complete victory to CAHN Club.

Viet Anh shoots well with both feet.

PHOTO: MINH TU

Viet Anh is gradually regaining his scoring touch, with 12 goals in the V-League, including 5 for CAHN last season. The calm and intelligent defensive qualities that helped the former Hanoi midfielder rise to stardom have also reappeared. This is good news for CAHN, and of course, the entire Vietnam national team.

Defense adds 'steel' quality

Since taking over the Vietnam national team, coach Kim Sang-sik has rarely had Viet Anh in his ideal and healthy form. The 26-year-old central defender often has physical problems and has difficulty meeting fitness standards.

At the 2024 AFF Cup, Mr. Kim prioritized the trio of central defenders including Nguyen Thanh Chung (middle), Do Duy Manh (right) and Bui Tien Dung (left). Viet Anh is not as stable as Thanh Chung to play "slack". In the right-sided role, he also does not stick and compete fiercely like Duy Manh. What Viet Anh left of the AFF Cup was only 1 starting match against the Philippines.

Viet Anh helps coach Kim Sang-sik have more options

PHOTO: MINH TU

That is a regret for the central defender who used to wear the captain's armband under coach Philippe Troussier, playing in 8 out of 9 matches in the 2023 Asian Cup and 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

However, when Viet Anh has recovered and regained his form, the door to return to the Vietnam national team will be wide open. Viet Anh is still one of the most versatile and experienced central defenders at present. If he maintains his form at CAHN Club, and at the same time demonstrates the necessary fighting spirit and professionalism, the 26-year-old central defender will be the top choice.

In the match against Malaysia in June at Bukit Jalik, the Vietnamese team needs a solid defense to prioritize the goal of a clean sheet. At the same time, coach Kim Sang-sik also needs a surprise attack to find goals, in the context of a striker crisis.

Bui Hoang Viet Anh is the perfect "2 in 1" option. Let's wait for the return of the former captain of the Vietnamese national team!

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/trung-ve-ghi-ban-gioi-nhu-tien-dao-da-tro-lai-tin-cuc-vui-cho-thay-kim-185250501172103676.htm