HAGL has more troops, but is it better quality?

Vietnam team needs players like Ngoc Quang

Among the 3 HAGL players present at the March training session of the Vietnamese team, Chau Ngoc Quang is the most prominent name.

Ngoc Quang used to be considered a "latecomer" when he was not as prominent as the players who rose to fame in the 1995-1996 generation of HAGL such as Cong Phuong, Xuan Truong, Van Toan, Van Thanh or Tuan Anh. He struggled to find a place in the HAGL first team, went to Hai Phong to have a chance to perform, then returned to HAGL to assert himself.

Chau Ngoc Quang (number 8) was chosen for his diligence and enthusiasm.

Until 2022, when he was 26 years old, Ngoc Quang had only 2 seasons of playing 20 or more matches in the V-League. The midfielder born in 1996 is not too outstanding in his ability to dribble, shoot from afar or control the ball. Ngoc Quang's strongest point lies in his diligence. He runs and runs continuously, ready to duel to compete and press despite his modest physique, and always adheres to tactical discipline.

For coach Kim Sang-sik, that was enough. The Korean coach always emphasized fighting spirit, diligence and professionalism. Ngoc Quang only needed 2 training sessions to convince Mr. Kim, before playing 4 matches at the AFF Cup 2022 (all as a starter) and becoming the Southeast Asian champion.

In the March training session to prepare for the two matches against Cambodia (March 19, friendly) and Laos (March 25, Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers), Ngoc Quang continues to be a strong candidate for a starting position. In the attacking midfielder position, Mr. Kim tends to use hard-working players to put pressure and "wear down" the opponent, then use creative faces on the field to make a difference.

At HAGL this season, Ngoc Quang has played 14 matches and scored 4 goals. The 29-year-old midfielder carries the HAGL midfield and has a good physical foundation to meet Mr. Kim's strict requirements.

Difficult for Ly Duc and Bao Toan

Ngoc Quang's rise became an example for Ly Duc and Bao Toan. The starting point doesn't matter, as long as you put in the effort, what will come will come.

Ly Duc (left) is a promising young face of HAGL.

However, the competition for a place among the remaining two HAGL players will be shaky. First is Bao Toan, a player who was called up to the Vietnam national team to try out before the 2024 AFF Cup, but did not make it to the official list.

Like Ngoc Quang, Bao Toan is diligent, but the 2000-born midfielder's football mindset and pressing skills are not as good as his senior. Therefore, Mr. Kim did not choose Bao Toan for the AFF Cup 2024.

However, Bao Toan has the versatility to play as an attacking midfielder or as a winger when needed. Therefore, coach Kim Sang-sik decided to give the HAGL midfielder another chance. With so many talented players in the midfield, Bao Toan needs to work hard to be selected.

As for Ly Duc, coach Kim Sang-sik's choice of the 2003-born player to join the Vietnam national team was truly a breakthrough. Ly Duc had never played for the U.22 Vietnam team and was in his first season breathing the V-League atmosphere, but he immediately proved his worth by playing continuously from the beginning of the tournament (playing in all 15 matches, scoring 1 goal).

Ly Duc has a good physique, with a fighting and determined playing style. However, experience becomes Ly Duc's weakness in the race with experienced defensive "guards" such as Do Duy Manh, Nguyen Thanh Chung, Bui Tien Dung, Bui Hoang Viet Anh...

Coach Kim Sang-sik's decision to call Ly Duc up to the national team is probably to help this central defender gain more experience, before becoming the leader of the U.22 Vietnam defense in the 2026 U.23 Asian qualifiers and the 33rd SEA Games.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/doi-tuyen-viet-nam-quan-so-hagl-dong-hon-nhung-co-chat-hon-18525030710311597.htm