Looking for the 'boss' in the middle of the field

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FORM OF HOANG DUC AND HUNG DUNG

Hoang Duc's case is really sensitive. The fact that he will definitely leave Viettel The Cong Club makes coach Nguyen Duc Thang face a difficult choice between continuing to use him or prioritizing other options. After being replaced in the 59th minute of the opening match of V-League 2024-2025, Hoang Duc sat on the bench and only entered the field from the 61st minute of the "capital derby" match with Hanoi Club, before playing 59 minutes in the 0-1 loss to Binh Dinh Club in round 3. His position is no longer in the center of midfield (currently belonging to Wesley Nata and Duc Chien), but plays on the right. It is difficult to blame coach Duc Thang when Viettel The Cong Club is forced to gradually get used to not having the 2022 Vietnam Golden Ball in the squad. Surely the lack of playing minutes, along with playing in a position other than his best position, will significantly affect Hoang Duc's performance.

Hoang Duc (left) is in a sensitive situation, affecting his performance before the AFF Cup 2024.

Meanwhile, at Hanoi FC, people are also getting used to the fact that Hung Dung will no longer be the "perpetual engine", running tirelessly and ready to cover the field for the team anytime, anywhere. Coach Le Duc Tuan clearly sees this and is trying to give more opportunities to young players Thai Quy, Van Toan, Van Truong in the middle of the field. The good news is that Hung Dung has played the full 90 minutes in the last 2 matches, but to return to high form like the AFF Cup 2018 or 2022 is another story.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PERSONS

At the FIFA Days last September, Coach Kim Sang-sik affirmed that he would give more opportunities to players born after 2000. He did that when he put Van Truong, Hai Long, Tuan Tai, Vi Hao, Tuan Duong... on the field, even starting from the beginning. In this training session, Mr. Kim called up many younger players, including the return of Thai Son, who was expected to replace Hung Dung in the future.

Before round 4 of V-League 2024-2025, Thai Son is the player who plays the most for Thanh Hoa Club, with 308 minutes in V-League, playing 2 full matches in the Southeast Asian Club Championship. Entering the 4th season in V-League, this 21-year-old midfielder has matured a lot, ready to take on greater responsibility in the Vietnam team, similar to the way his 2003 classmate Van Truong is being trusted by Mr. Kim. In fact, Van Truong has the advantage of good physique, long stride (1.82 m tall compared to 1.71 of Thai Son) and regularly trains with Hung Dung. On the contrary, Thai Son is a pillar of Thanh Hoa Club while Van Truong is still looking for a place at Hanoi Club. But coach Kim Sang-sik is very willing to open the door for young players to show off, bringing great encouragement to these two young players.

After the unsuccessful experiment of Hoang Duc playing as a striker against Russia, coach Kim Sang-sik will put his trust in him in the central midfield position alongside his good partner Hung Dung. However, the Vietnamese team will be ready to create competition for them with the rise of the young duo Thai Son and Van Truong.

Yesterday, October 4, VFF officially finalized the schedule for the FIFA Days friendly match in October 2024 of the Vietnam national team. Accordingly, coach Kim Sang-sik and his team will have an international friendly match against the Indian team instead of two matches as originally planned.

Previously, VFF had sent an invitation to the Lebanese and Indian teams to play friendly matches during the FIFA Days in October 2024. However, due to difficulties in finding flights to Vietnam, the Lebanese team could not participate. The Lebanese Football Federation sent a letter to VFF apologizing for missing this tour and hoping to have the opportunity to come to Vietnam to play during the upcoming FIFA Days.

In the context of limited time to find another team to compete, VFF has exchanged information with the Indian Football Federation and agreed to organize a match between the Vietnamese and Indian teams at 6 p.m. on October 12 at Thien Truong Stadium (Nam Dinh).

Currently, VFF continues to carry out tasks related to organizing the match as well as planning to issue tickets to serve the audience. To prepare for this match, the Vietnamese team will gather again today (October 5).

Japan Group

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/doi-tuyen-viet-nam-di-tim-ong-chu-giua-san-18524100417341537.htm