Good signals from the young generation

YOUTH SPEAKS OUT

The Vietnamese team won 3-2 against Nam Dinh FC in a friendly match on October 9. Although it was only a backup plan (because the Lebanese team did not come to Vietnam), it also brought many important conclusions to coach Kim Sang-sik. The positive signal in this match was that the young players, including Nguyen Thai Son and Bui Vi Hao, all affirmed their class.

Thai Son (right) is improving with each match.

In the first half, Nam Dinh FC deployed a force no different from a foreign team, with 7 foreign players and naturalized striker Nguyen Xuan Son starting. The Vietnamese team was overwhelmed, had to retreat deep to defend and conceded 2 goals from aerial situations.

Although the Vietnamese midfield was overwhelmed by muscular foreign players like Hendrio Araujo and Joseph Mpande, Nguyen Thai Son played very hard. In addition to scoring goals, the 21-year-old midfielder moved continuously to coordinate and connect the ball from defense to attack. Thai Son is not strong in one-on-one battles but plays very "enthusiastically", willing to approach the opponent, helping the Vietnamese midfield have more fighting power and not be "crushed" by the opponent's pressure. This is the source of energy that coach Kim Sang-sik needs from his students, to meet the intensity of playing football at a high level. Trained by a strategist who prefers a fierce and scientific style of play like Velizar Popov at Thanh Hoa team, Thai Son is making progress compared to himself last year, when coach Philippe Troussier created the opportunity to wear the national team shirt. At the age of 21, Thai Son can still develop both in terms of physique and football thinking.

Young striker Vi Hao also made his mark with 2 goals, playing a key role in the comeback of the Vietnamese team. The player born in 2003 scored the equalizer 2-2 with a lightning-fast finish in a chaotic situation in front of the goal. He scored the winning goal 3-2 with a decisive shot afterwards, from a good combination of right-wing passes from his teammates.

Having been praised by coach Kim Sang-sik for being “energetic and well-rounded” in the friendly matches against Russia and Thailand, Vi Hao was given more opportunities to penetrate the penalty area in the match against Nam Dinh FC, in the context of striker Nguyen Tien Linh being absent due to injury. Not disappointing expectations, the 21-year-old striker completed his mission.

K NEW BEGINNING

It is too early to judge Thai Son's position, when the Vietnamese team still has many good midfielders such as Hoang Duc, Quang Hai, Tuan Anh, Hung Dung. Similarly, Vi Hao has to compete with Tien Linh, Van Toan, Tuan Hai, Dinh Bac if he wants a position. Shining in an internal practice match, with very low pressure, is not worth mentioning.

However, each good match is a stepping stone for young players to gain more confidence. That is also the criterion that coach Kim Sang-sik wants from young players: not hesitating to make efforts to compete fairly for a position.

The Korean coach affirmed that he saw the potential seeds of Vietnamese football blossoming. He called up 9 young players for this training session. There are those who have shown themselves such as Thai Son, Vi Hao, and there are also names who are anxiously waiting for the opportunity to prove their abilities for Mr. Kim to "mark" such as Dinh Bac, Quoc Viet, Van Viet, Trung Kien...

How to properly take care of young players, interweave the old and new generations so that the seniors can guide the juniors, and take advantage of opportunities in each match are tasks that require a reasonable strategy from the coaching staff of the Vietnamese national team. When he was coaching Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, coach Kim Sang-sik and technical director Park Ji-sung drastically rejuvenated the team in the 2022-2023 season. As a legend of the Korean national championship, with a very early starting point in the first team, Mr. Kim probably understands that for "rising stars", being entrusted with trust is a great gift.

We cannot rush young stars into "forced maturity", but we cannot hesitate, causing the enthusiasm of young people to decline, in the context that the Vietnamese team really needs a new wind to create momentum for the AFF Cup.

Today (October 11), the Vietnamese team will travel to Nam Dinh to practice on the field, before competing with India on October 12. The last time they met India, Van Lam and his teammates won 3-0. In that match, young players like Nguyen Thanh Nhan and Khuat Van Khang put their names on the scoreboard. In the rematch at Thien Truong Stadium, will there be young players who will stir up the stadium again?

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/doi-tuyen-viet-nam-tin-hieu-tot-tu-lop-tre-185241010224219811.htm