How is U22 Vietnam doing without... a leader?

Coach Kim Sang Sik has just announced the new staff for U22 Vietnam at SEA Games 33. The question is, was the Korean strategist's choice correct?

The most likely choice

Before leaving for Thailand, Coach Kim Sang Sik officially announced his "extended arms" on the field. After the unfortunate injury that forced Nguyen Van Truong, who was previously given the conductor's armband, to take a long break, this responsibility was transferred to Khuat Van Khang and vice-captain Nguyen Dinh Bac.

To be fair, these are the most reasonable and "well-rounded" choices at the moment. No one in the current U22 generation has as much battle experience as Khuat Van Khang or Dinh Bac. Both have fought in previous continental youth tournaments, SEA Games and most importantly, have regularly breathed the air of the Vietnamese national team.

Khuat Van Khang was chosen as captain of U22 Vietnam.

In terms of expertise, this duo are the brightest stars, capable of creating breakthroughs and deciding matches. Giving the captain and vice-captain armbands to those with the highest professional level is a basic principle to create prestige in the dressing room. Because they deserve to be trusted to act as a professional bridge between the coaching staff and teammates on the field.

Still lacking a real leader

However, "executive committee" and "leader" are sometimes two different concepts. If we consider the two names above as a bridge, Khuat Van Khang and Dinh Bac will certainly do well. But if we put them in the position of a spiritual support, able to support the whole group when difficulties and worries begin to appear.

Regardless of expertise, in terms of personality, Van Khang and Dinh Bac do not seem to exude the qualities of a true "leader" on the field.

Hay Dinh Bac (deputy captain) is qualified in terms of expertise, but in terms of spirit, we have to... wait.

Van Khang is diligent, gentle and plays with enthusiasm, but he is more of a player who acts with his feet than commands with his voice. Dinh Bac is an improvisational player, sometimes his mentality is not stable when facing great pressure from the stands or opponents.

The role of a leader is not only about the captain's armband or reading tactics, but also the ability to speak up at the right time, be strong when needed, or be calm at the right time to give teammates confidence in important moments.

Vietnamese football was once very successful when it had leaders like Que Ngoc Hai, Hung Dung or before that Minh Phuong, Tai Em... people who, just by looking at them, made teammates feel secure.

With U22 Vietnam at SEA Games 33, coach Kim Sang Sik has to work much harder in terms of psychological warfare, because on the field the Korean captain seems to lack a true leader.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/u22-viet-nam-ra-sao-khi-ong-kim-sang-sik-khong-co-thu-linh-2467861.html