Does Bui Vi Hao deserve criticism?

Vi Hao needs to be viewed more fairly.

There are many "ifs" for Bui Vi Hao in the first leg of the AFF Cup 2024 semi-final against Singapore on the evening of December 26.

If Vi Hao had coordinated with Xuan Son in a sharp counter-attack at the end of the first half instead of trying to stretch to finish, if the 21-year-old striker had been more careful in the situation facing the Singapore goalkeeper (minute 62), perhaps the Vietnamese team would not have had to wait until the second half's injury time to decide the victory at Jalan Besar Stadium.

In both of these situations, Vi Hao's weaknesses were exposed. The player born in 2003 did not have a good enough supporting leg and stretching ability, and did not possess the necessary "coolness" to turn opportunities into goals.

Vi Hao had a match to forget

Entering the semi-finals, in matches where scoring opportunities are few and far between, missing key moments can be a weakness for the Vietnamese team. Fortunately, Singapore also had poor finishing in last night's match. Coach Kim Sang-sik's team won because... they were less bad than their opponents, but it cannot be said that the Vietnamese team played excellently.

However, it is unfair to criticize Vi Hao for the two missed situations. Because first of all, it was not by chance that coach Kim Sang-sik "marked" Vi Hao from the September training session, then planned this striker to become the core of the attack. At the AFF Cup 2024, Vi Hao started 5 out of 6 matches, playing a total of 330 minutes, the third most in the team (after Hoang Duc and Thanh Chung).

Despite having many quality strikers like Van Toan, Tuan Hai, or young players who had experienced under his predecessor like Quoc Viet, Van Truong, Mr. Kim still firmly believed in Vi Hao - a young star who had never played for the national team before he arrived.

Because coach Kim Sang-sik saw Vi Hao's ability. Binh Duong's young striker has a dedicated and enthusiastic style of play. He can run continuously, accelerate well in short distances, persistently stick to put pressure on the opponent when he has the ball, and at the same time run to open up space for his teammates to run up. It was Vi Hao's running and tireless fighting spirit that contributed to the wear and tear of Singapore's defense, leading to the home team's mistake in the second half's injury time.

Vi Hao played hard.

Unlike other strikers who play "in a hammock" and wait for the ball, Vi Hao diligently runs to find opportunities. According to statistics, the 21-year-old striker is one of the players with the widest range of activities, supporting the defense from a distance the most on the field. To evaluate Vi Hao's contribution, we need to look at the whole match, instead of a few moments (although sometimes the match is decided by just one situation).

Progress every game

As for Vi Hao personally, he went from being a "supporting actor" of U.23 Vietnam to the core of the national team in just 6 months.

In 2023, no one has advanced as strongly as Vi Hao. The 21-year-old striker has also won a starting position for Binh Duong since 2022. In the past 2 years, Vi Hao has played 72 matches in the V-League. No U.21 player has played more in the same period.

From a player who was criticized for his physical weakness and competition to becoming an important choice for the Vietnam national team, Vi Hao has made great efforts. In his first participation in the AFF Cup at the age of 21, it is difficult to expect Vi Hao to do better.

Remember, it is very difficult to find shining stars in the national team jersey at the age of 21 like Quang Hai, Dinh Trong, Xuan Truong... have done. Each player has a separate development cycle, but the common point is that they all need lessons to mature.

After the "unlucky" match at Jalan Besar, Vi Hao was instructed by the coaching staff to adjust his aim. In the second leg, the striker born in 2003 may show off a new look. Or maybe... not. But Vi Hao will contribute to the game in one way or another.

What fans should do is be tolerant of young players. No one becomes a good person without making mistakes. Because football is a mirror of life, Vi Hao needs to be given more trust.

Watch ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2024 live & in full on FPT Play, at: http://fptplay.vn

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bui-vi-hao-co-dang-bi-chi-trich-185241227183250929.htm