Van Truong: Making his mark in his own way on the Vietnam U.23 team

The Vietnam U.23 team will enter the final match of the Southeast Asian U.23 tournament, where Van Truong will be the focus in the midfield battles with host Indonesia.

Van Truong's dynamism is creating balance for the playing style of the Vietnam U.23 team.

Photo: Dong Nguyen Khang

Van Truong: The silent warrior of U.23 Vietnam

At 8:00 p.m. on July 29, the U.23 Vietnam team and Van Truong will enter the final match of the 2025 Southeast Asian U.23 tournament, where our midfield will face the biggest challenge since the beginning of the tournament, coming from the combative midfield of U.23 Indonesia.

Looking at the way the home team suffocated the U.23 Thai midfield in the semi-final, people suddenly discovered the extremely special role of midfielder Nguyen Van Truong - a person who is capable of using both "literary and martial arts" depending on the opponent.

The Vietnam U.23 team on the way to the final match of the U.23 Southeast Asian tournament has witnessed many heroes stepping into the light in different ways, helping us defeat all opponents one by one.

Van Truong is in a very comfortable and positive spirit.

Photo: Dong Nguyen Khang

We can mention Khuat Van Khang's ability to create, Dinh Bac scored at the right time with a goal in the semi-final, Hieu Minh scored a double against U.23 Laos or Xuan Bac, Anh Quan, Ly Duc... played better and better, surprising fans.

After 3 matches, coach Kim Sang-sik has shaped the 3 central midfielders in the 3-5-2 formation. Xuan Bac will replace Thai Son and play lowest to take advantage of his ability to flexibly escape pressing and pass the ball very well.

The duo Van Truong - Van Khang will play higher in the midfield area. In which Van Truong will take on a very heavy role of fighting for ball control, intercepting in the midfield as well as developing the ball from the midfield.

Not afraid of U.23 Indonesia

Van Truong is a silent support for his teammates to attack with peace of mind.

Photo: Dong Nguyen Khang

During the first 3 matches, Van Truong performed his task of controlling the midfield very well, to the point that many people forgot his presence, when his teammates around him were free to join the attack, score goals and create assists.

Except for the first match when he left the field at the 83rd minute to let young talent Cong Phuong come in for a "test of fire", Van Truong played every minute of the next two matches of U.23 Vietnam.

Coach Kim Sang-sik was determined to keep the midfielder of Hanoi Club on the field even when he withdrew attacking players Van Khang, Dinh Bac, Cong Phuong... from the 63rd minute in the semi-final match against U.23 Philippines.

This shows that the Korean coach highly values Van Truong's position, believing that he can help balance the playing style even when other key players leave the field, replacing them with players who rarely play in important matches like the semi-final against U.23 Philippines.

Van Truong is a solid support for his teammates in U.23 Vietnam.

Photo: Dong Nguyen Khang

At times, people assumed Van Truong was an attacking player, especially after he scored a wonderful goal from his own half to help Hanoi FC win the 2022 National U.19 Championship final.

But over time, Van Truong has shown his potential as an all-round midfielder, not only participating well in attacks but also good at tackling and blocking in modern football, as he has "hidden" and sacrificed himself for his teammates to advance since the beginning of the tournament.

The final match with U.23 Indonesia, which is full of fighting spirit, will be an opportunity for Van Truong to continue to demonstrate his ability in strong competition, where his long strides and abundant physical strength will help him and the U.23 Vietnam team compete for the midfield.

But like the midfielder born in 2003 once scored against U.23 Taiwan with a perfect shot from outside the penalty area, if the U.23 Indonesia midfield is a bit negligent, Van Truong will know how to speak up to bring the cup to Vietnam for the third consecutive time.

Watch the full 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Football Championship Mandiri Cup™ on FPT Play, visit http://fptplay.vn

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/van-truong-ghi-dau-theo-cach-rieng-o-doi-tuyen-u23-viet-nam-185250728182935002.htm