With such a 'perfect' defense, the Vietnamese team should really work hard to score goals.

The defense is both energetic and experienced.

The Vietnamese team's defense is preparing for the FIFA Days matches, against Cambodia on March 19 and Laos on March 25, with only two absences compared to the AFF Cup 2024. That is, center back Pham Xuan Manh (Hanoi FC) was replaced by young player Pham Ly Duc (HAGL), and right back Ho Tan Tai (Binh Duong) suffered a long-term injury.

The best central defender of AFF Cup 2024 Thanh Chung will still be the leader of the defense.

Pham Ly Duc's replacement for Pham Xuan Manh is not surprising, as Pham Xuan Manh's form has declined since the AFF Cup. Meanwhile, Pham Ly Duc is a young player, brought into the Vietnam national team by coach Kim Sang-sik, in the process of creating a legacy for the team, aiming for future major tournaments.

However, this replacement will not affect much the overall structure of the Vietnamese team, especially the structure of the defenders. Coach Kim Sang-sik is very likely to build a defense based on players who have affirmed their professional ability, as well as a lot of experience. The list of the Vietnamese team at this time still includes the number one center back at the 2024 AFF Cup Nguyen Thanh Chung, excellent player Bui Tien Dung, captain Do Duy Manh, and the full-backs who have been successful in the Southeast Asian championship including Nguyen Van Vi (left back) and Truong Tien Anh (right back).

Thanh Chung, Duy Manh, Tien Dung, Van Vi, Tien Anh will also be the players with the highest potential to officially play in the defense of the Vietnam team in the coming days, related to the matches of FIFA Days in March. Supplementing them from the bench are also 3 experienced players Bui Hoang Viet Anh, Vu Van Thanh and Nguyen Thanh Binh, plus young player Pham Ly Duc.

Impressive clean sheet rate

In the 2024 AFF Cup, the Vietnamese team is the team with the 3rd fewest goals conceded in the tournament, with 6 goals conceded, only 1 goal more than the 2 teams with the least goals conceded, Malaysia and Indonesia (both conceded 5 goals each). However, the Vietnamese team has played much more matches than the above mentioned teams, we played a total of 8 matches, while Malaysia and Indonesia each played only 4 matches (eliminated in the group stage). In terms of clean sheet rate, the Vietnamese team leads the AFF Cup, far surpassing the remaining opponents. We have a clean sheet rate of 0.75 goals/match. This rate of the Philippines is 1.17 goals/match, of Indonesia and Malaysia is 1.25 goals/match, of Thailand is 1.5 goals/match and of Singapore is 1.67 goals/match.

Pham Ly Duc is the only replacement in the defense.

These figures show that the Vietnamese team's defenders are playing very effectively, and that the defenders are both in their prime and have a lot of international experience. With this defender line, it can be seen that coach Kim Sang-sik does not need to take risks in areas that require high safety such as the defender line. Therefore, Mr. Kim did not change too much in terms of personnel in the back line.

A solid defense will be the launching pad for the entire team, aiming for victory. Only when the backline plays safely, can the frontline feel secure in expressing creativity, confidently finding a way into the opponent's goal. Therefore, the Vietnamese team has the premise to compete successfully in the Asian qualifiers.

Regarding this issue, former VFF Vice President Duong Vu Lam commented: "Most of the most talented players with the best form in the country are currently on the national team. As for the defense, there is no regrettable absence. Many people may wonder why central defender Que Ngoc Hai was not called, but in fact Que Ngoc Hai is not more outstanding than those currently on the list. He is also a bit old for coach Kim Sang-sik's long-term calculations.

Another face that has been mentioned a lot recently is central defender Tran Dinh Trong. However, compared to Dinh Trong himself when he participated in the U.23 Asian Cup and AFF Cup 2018, his physical condition is not as good now, due to the effects of previous long-term injuries. Therefore, the faces appearing in the Vietnam national team at this time are completely reasonable."

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/hang-thu-ngon-lanh-canh-dao-the-nay-doi-tuyen-viet-nam-hay-that-cham-ghi-ban-185250311160659038.htm