Que Ngoc Hai returns

The Vietnam national football team will play two matches in the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup this November. This is the first official tournament for the entire team under coach Philippe Troussier.

The French coach has 8 months of selection and testing to have the most thorough preparation. Through recent friendly matches, Mr. Troussier has likely shaped the framework for the Vietnamese team in the match against the Philippines.

In goal, goalkeeper Dang Van Lam will be the number 1 priority. The player from Quy Nhon Binh Dinh has many years of experience in the national team. His experience and ability to direct the defense play a very important role in this tournament.

The return of Que Ngoc Hai is good news for the Vietnam team.

Que Ngoc Hai's return to normal training is good news for the Vietnam team. Previously, Mr. Troussier lost Do Duy Manh due to injury. Thus, the team's three central defenders will be Que Ngoc Hai, Bui Hoang Viet Anh and Phan Tuan Tai.

Que Ngoc Hai will play on the right. Viet Anh will play in the center. Tuan Tai will play as a left center back to develop his ability to develop the ball from the back line.

On the right flank, after Truong Tien Anh was eliminated, Vu Van Thanh, Pham Xuan Manh and Ho Van Cuong are the three candidates. Van Thanh is likely to be selected as he has been in good form recently. Xuan Manh is similar but he shows that form when playing on the left wing of Hanoi FC's defense.

On the opposite wing, Vo Minh Trong competes with Trieu Viet Hung for a position. Mr. Troussier is placing a lot of trust in the Binh Duong Club player. Minh Trong played both matches against Uzbekistan and Korea. This player has the advantage of speed over Viet Hung. Therefore, against a Philippines that is rated lower, this strength of the player born in 2001 will be an advantage.

In the center of midfield, Coach Troussier will prioritize experience. Therefore, Do Hung Dung and Nguyen Tuan Anh are the two best choices. They also understand each other very well as they have many years of working under Coach Park Hang Seo.

With the two above options in midfield, Hoang Duc will be placed as a striker, and will often drop back to support the midfield.

Meanwhile, the two wingers are Nguyen Van Quyet and Pham Tuan Hai. Tuan Hai will play on the right but tends to penetrate the middle, taking advantage of the space created by Hoang Duc. Van Quyet brings flexibility and variation to the team's left wing.

The match between Vietnam and the Philippines will take place at 6:00 p.m. on November 16 at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Expected lineup of Vietnam team
Dang Van Lam, Vu Van Thanh, Que Ngoc Hai, Bui Hoang Viet Anh, Phan Tuan Tai, Vo Minh Trong, Nguyen Tuan Anh, Do Hung Dung, Nguyen Hoang Duc, Pham Tuan Hai, Nguyen Van Quyet.

Hoai Duong

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