Van Toan, the K-League version, attacks from the center forward position.

Van Toan during the training session on the afternoon of June 14th.

The 2022 World Cup qualifiers kicked off with the Vietnamese national team playing away at the Thammasat Stadium against Thailand on September 5, 2019, where Van Toan was the key player.

It was a match of exciting milestones, as it marked the first official encounter between coach Park Hang-seo and arch-rival Thailand since taking charge of the Vietnamese national team.

Tuan Anh made his first start alongside Hung Dung in the center of the defense, while Hoang Duc was still a young player aiming for the 2019 SEA Games and was not yet included in the squad.

That match also marked the return of the tireless Nguyen Trong Hoang from injury, Van Hau's return from the Netherlands, and in the attacking line, the player Coach Park placed his trust in was striker Nguyen Van Toan.

Cong Phuong will compete with Van Toan for a spot in the attacking line.

In that very intense and tactically demanding match, Van Toan played as the striker while his close friend Cong Phuong sat on the bench and Tien Linh was still in the process of learning the ropes.

But gradually, Tien Linh's progress, with his ideal physique for the center forward position, quickly made him the number one choice in the Vietnamese national team's attack. However, in his own way, Van Toan gradually established himself as one of the best strikers in the V-League.

At this point, with Park Hang-seo having stepped down, in the opening match of coach Philippe Troussier's era, an opportunity opened up for Van Toan. This opportunity wasn't just because Tien Linh was injured and had to train separately, but in fact, it was earned by his impressive efforts in K-League 2.

Among all the Vietnamese players who have played or are currently playing abroad, Van Toan is the most prominent case, with over a dozen appearances for Seoul E-Land FC.

Van Toan has become much more confident since returning from South Korea.

More importantly, during what was theoretically a period of focusing on integration and adaptation, Van Toan proved himself capable of meeting the physical demands, strength, and speed requirements that had previously challenged many Vietnamese players.

Leaving behind the safety of a secure domestic environment, including a substantial transfer fee, and venturing into a land that had once been the "burying ground" for countless dreams of Vietnamese and Southeast Asian footballers, was a huge turning point in Van Toan's career.

Being alone in a foreign land has helped him become noticeably tougher, more independent, and stronger, while still maintaining his strong, ambitious playing style.

That maturation promises to bring about a higher-quality, more confident, and more capable K-League version of Van Toan, making him a serious contender for a spot in the Vietnamese national team's attack.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/van-toan-phien-ban-k-league-tan-cong-vi-tri-trung-phong-185230614195921579.htm