HAGL lost heavily, but this U.22 factor still made Mr. Kim nod in approval!

HAGL lost, but must praise Trung Kien

The 0-3 defeat to the away team Hanoi at Pleiku Stadium puts HAGL at risk of falling further when round 14 of the 2024 - 2025 V-League ends. Coach Le Quang Trai's team lost completely in terms of personnel, playing style and fighting spirit in the match last night (February 21). However, there was still a bright spot from the mountain town team. That was the impressive performance of young goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien.

The 2003-born goalkeeper denied at least 3 clear scoring opportunities for Hanoi FC. Among them, his miraculous dive to block Van Quyet's powerful shot in the second half is considered one of Trung Kien's best saves since the 22-year-old goalkeeper set foot on the V-League field.

Trung Kien in HAGL shirt

Trung Kien was once a phenomenon of U.23 Vietnam thanks to his "huge" height of 1.91 m, taller than goalkeeper Dang Van Lam (1.88 m) and only 1 cm shorter than his senior Nguyen Filip. However, the core factor for a goalkeeper lies in his technical foundation, ability to judge, react and master the penalty area, not just height. And with Trung Kien, the more he plays, the more his potential is revealed, like a "precious gem" that shines brighter and brighter after years of polishing.

Without waiting for the match against Hanoi FC, Trung Kien has proven himself worthy of being the number one choice at HAGL. He is trusted not because of the youth policy, but because he is truly capable.

Right in his first season, the goalkeeper born in 2003 played steadily. Trung Kien successfully blocked a penalty in HAGL's 1-1 draw at Hoa Xuan Stadium of Da Nang Club, and showed off his talent in the penalty shootout to help HAGL overcome Binh Phuoc in the round of 16 of the National Cup. Along with his impressive dives at the 11m mark, Trung Kien's form was stable throughout. He regularly saved goals, took advantage of his height to catch high balls effectively, and was stable in face-to-face and long-range shots.

Returning to the match against Hanoi, Trung Kien conceded 3 goals and they were all "hard to handle" situations: two penalty kicks by foreign players, along with a close-range header by Van Tung. The team felt a little regretful when Trung Kien guessed the direction of both shots correctly. In Luka Bobicanec's penalty kick, the HAGL goalkeeper touched the ball but let it slip through his armpit.

Trung Kien in the Vietnamese national team jersey

HAGL lost, but Trung Kien did not. The 22-year-old goalkeeper has one more match to prove his ability to coach Le Quang Trai and coach Kim Sang-sik.

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Coach Kim Sang-sik still has many young goalkeepers, such as Doan Huy Hoang (The Cong Viettel loaned to Binh Phuoc) or Cao Van Binh (2005). However, in terms of potential and playing experience, perhaps none is better than Tran Trung Kien.

The HAGL goalkeeper has something that very few young goalkeepers have: regular playing time in the V-League. The 1.91m goalkeeper is lucky to play for one of the teams that is most generous to the youngest players in the V-League. However, no gift falls from the sky. Trung Kien is trusted because this goalkeeper has worked hard to win his position.

Trung Kien was "planned" by coach Kim Sang-sik for the starting position in U.22 Vietnam, when the young goalkeeper has a place in the AFF Cup 2024. Although he only plays the role of third goalkeeper, training with assistant Lee Woon-jae (legendary goalkeeper of Korea), playing alongside talented seniors such as Nguyen Filip, Van Lam, Dinh Trieu is also a golden opportunity for the HAGL goalkeeper to improve.

It will be difficult for HAGL to break through in V-League 2024 - 2025 because after all, the force in the hands of technical director Vu Tien Thanh is... just that. However, from the difficulties, HAGL can introduce many promising faces to U.22 Vietnam. Trung Kien is ready to rise.

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Source: https://thanhnien.vn/hagl-thua-dam-nhung-nhan-to-u22-nay-van-khien-ong-kim-gat-gu-tan-thuong-185250222154708577.htm