Recently, Hoang Duc participated in two matches of The Cong Viettel at the international friendly tournament Hana Play Cup 2024 (against Hanoi FC and Daejeon Hana City (Korea), playing the full 90 minutes on the field. So, can it be said that his injury has completely recovered?
- I think things are going pretty well at the moment. After the injury treatment, I trained with the team again two weeks ago. My leg is getting better, and my ball feeling is much better.
This injury caused Hoang Duc to miss the opportunity to be part of the Vietnam national team (VNT) to participate in the 2023 Asian Cup in Qatar? During the break, did you watch the Vietnam national team compete and feel regretful when we returned empty-handed?
- Whether in the club or the national team, whenever I can't compete with my teammates in a tournament, I always stay home to watch and cheer for them.
In this Asian Cup tournament, there were times when I was extremely surprised and proud when we took the lead against Japan in the first round. Although the result of the following match was not as expected, I think the team showed many positive aspects. In the following matches, the Vietnam team was unlucky, losing 1-0 to Indonesia and 2-3 to Iraq. After these results, I believe the whole team will learn from the experience and come back stronger in the future.
Let's compare a bit. In 2022, Hoang Duc and his teammates met the Japanese team in the third qualifying round of the World Cup in Asia. At that time, we lost 0-1 at My Dinh Stadium and once surprisingly drew 1-1 in Japan. In your opinion, what is different about the playing style of the Vietnamese team in the recent match compared to previous confrontations?
- It is difficult to judge or compare this. Firstly, in the two matches in the Asian World Cup qualifiers taking place in 2022, I was only able to participate in one match. In the remaining match, I was forced to sit out due to Covid-19.
Second, as we all see, for many years now, the Japanese national team has always been among the top teams in Asia. They have participated in the World Cup finals many times, competing equally with the strongest teams in the world. In terms of expertise, we are still far behind Japan. However, I believe that the Vietnamese national team is still improving every day.
Each coach has his own philosophy and style of play when facing Japan. When he was in charge, Coach Park Hang-seo brought about development steps for the Vietnam National Team. Now, Coach Troussier has also brought about positive progress. If viewers understand the profession, I believe they will see that.
It can be said that the defeat against the Japanese team was not a surprise. However, after the defeat against the Indonesian team, many fans expressed concern about the future of the national team. Some viewers even said that we are going downhill compared to regional teams such as Thailand and Indonesia. Do you think that assessment is correct?
- The fact that Indonesia won a match against Vietnam after many years, in my opinion, is not a big deal, nor does it reflect anything. We lost the last time we met, but in March 2024, with a different face, Vietnam has every right to hope.
With Thai football, we all see the fact that they have been ahead of Vietnam for many years. In their country, the training, preparation, and conduct of a tournament are all extremely professional. Having been to Thailand with a club to compete in the AFC Cup, I have witnessed their facilities and amenities firsthand and can confirm that it is something that many Vietnamese teams currently do not have the ability to provide.
At the highest levels such as Thai League 1, Thai League 2, Thailand always has 17, 18 teams participating in the competition. Meanwhile, Vietnam only has 14 teams participating in the V-League, in the First Division there are even fewer. In recent years, many teams have had to leave the tournament due to lack of financial capacity.
It can be seen that Thailand has a more competitive football environment than ours. The quality of domestic tournaments is also higher, creating a good environment for players to improve. To become as professional as them, we probably need a little more time.
One of the new things that Coach Troussier brought to the Vietnam National Team is that the French coach trusts young players. Is this a limitation, when they are still inexperienced, lack confidence on the field, as well as professional aspects?
- Personally, I think that because young players need experience, it is even more necessary for them to participate in big matches or tournaments. Of course, they will need time to prove themselves and improve themselves, and have preparation periods before becoming mature. Coach Troussier's inclusion of young players in the national team is a positive thing. Currently, national and club teams around the world also include many young and promising players.
Before working with Mr. Troussier , Hoang Duc had a fairly smooth journey with Coach Park Hang-seo at the national U22 +2 team, then U23 and then the Vietnam National Team. Having been with the Korean coach for a long time, when he first met Mr. Troussier, he must have encountered many difficulties?
- It's not too difficult. Of course, each coach has a different style of play. While coach Park Hang-seo tends to be defensive, coach Troussier organizes an offensive style of play. At first, I felt a bit strange when adapting to the new tactics. However, after a period of training, I gradually adapted and improved myself to pursue the philosophy that coach Troussier wanted.
Personally, which style of play does Hoang Duc prefer, the defensive counter-attacking style of coach Park Hang-seo, or the ball control, attacking style of coach Troussier?
- As a midfielder, I am naturally more attack-minded and prefer an attacking style of play.
There is a lot of speculation about Hoang Duc's absence from the Vietnam national team in recent tournaments. Frankly speaking, is his absence from the two World Cup qualifying matches against the Philippines and Iraq, or his absence from the 2023 Asian Cup, simply due to professional reasons, or because of conflicts between the two players as the public is speculating?
- There is no problem at all. In football, a player sometimes plays and sometimes sits out due to the coach's formation, that is very normal. As a professional player, I respect the coaching staff and follow the decisions of the coach. Moreover, if I do not play, the team still wins, Vietnamese football still progresses positively, I am very ready and comfortable.
However, I heard that during the recent training session, Hoang Duc and Coach Troussier also had disagreements?
- It's not really a disagreement. Right from the beginning of working with us, with the style of a European, Coach Troussier told the players to give feedback or give their own opinions when they felt they were not suitable or did not understand the position. Because of that, there was a time when I sat down and talked to him. I frankly shared that I did not feel this position was suitable for me personally, maybe I did not meet the requirements set by the coach, I was feeling very strange and new.
Every player has a position that they are good at. When they play in their best position, they perform better, but when they play a completely new position, they will need time to adapt gradually.
Why do you think Mr. Troussier put you in the striker position, instead of the midfield position where you are shining?
- That is the individual thinking of each coach, responding to the tactical diagram that the coach has outlined. In a team game, each player needs to adapt. In fact, the striker position that I take on in Coach Troussier's diagram is not as simple as everyone thinks. I do not operate as a striker but am allowed to pull back to receive the ball, then launch an attack. At first, because I did not understand this position, I found it very difficult. After the coach explained, I understood and gradually adapted.
In general, it is good for each player to be able to play 1-2 or even 3 positions on the field, before talking about being good for the whole team.
There is a story that many people also mention, that before being injured and forced to leave the team, unable to participate in the 2023 Asian Cup Finals, Hoang Duc was given a bottle of wine by Coach Troussier from this coach's own winery. At that time, what did you tell Hoang Duc?
- I was also surprised by this action of Coach Troussier. Before that, I had only heard about but did not know much about his wine company. That day, he brought me a bottle of wine, with his face printed on the outside, along with a message: "Whenever there is a happy occasion, remember to enjoy it with your family". He also hoped that I would try to treat, recover well and return soon.
Let’s go back in time a little. How did the young Hoang Duc get into football nearly 20 years ago? Did anyone in his family pursue a sports career or guide him in his first steps?
- Like other children of the same age in the countryside, when I was young, I often held a plastic ball and went to the field to play soccer, and then trudged home at dusk. When I was in third grade, an uncle in the same neighborhood introduced me to a friend who worked as a coach in the city. I started practicing there, and after two years, I officially transferred to the training center, starting my relationship with soccer.
No one in my family is into sports, but my father is very passionate about this field. Whether it is football or tennis, he does not hesitate to stay up all night to watch and cheer for the athletes he loves. That is why my father supported me in pursuing football from the beginning. My mother, on the other hand, was against it at first, worried that I would not focus on my studies. It was only later, when she saw me hiding away all the time, that she finally stopped talking (laughs).
When will Hoang Duc start his journey with The Cong - Viettel Club ?
- I came to Viettel Club in 2012, when I was in 8th grade. The reason was because my uncle was friends with Mr. Hong Son, and during a conversation, he introduced his nephew who was playing football. Because of that, the teacher told my family to take me to Viettel Football Training Center to "try it out".
After talking to my parents, I packed my bags and went to the center. After passing the tests, I was accepted and started a new journey.
During that training process, was there a time when Hoang Duc felt discouraged and didn't want to practice top-level football anymore, just wanted to play casually or switch to another field?
- There was also a time when I was about 15 years old. At that time, I was very discouraged and really thought about not continuing to play football. When talking to my mother about this, she asked me: "Why did you still insist on going when I opposed it before? If you have chosen a path for yourself, why don't you continue to follow it?" After listening to my mother's advice, I thought about it and decided to come back and try harder in training. From that time until now, I have always believed that choosing football was the right decision.
Having a chance to work with former football star Hong Son, when you came to train at Viettel Football Training Center, did he guide you?
- Honestly, during my time at Viettel Club, I rarely met him and did not have many opportunities to interact with him.
Before that, when I was still training in Hai Duong, I was once introduced by the coach there that he knew the famous player Hong Son. However, to be honest, at that time I did not know who coach Hong Son was, I just thought he was goalkeeper Duong Hong Son - who was closer to our generation at that time.
The generation gap between Mr. Hong Son and us is quite large. In addition, my personality is quite special. I play football but rarely watch football. Even later, when I played in the V-League, I rarely followed this tournament.
He is playing for Viettel The Cong Club - a very special club in Vietnamese football. Not only is this team rich in achievements, it also has a great tradition with loyal fans after many years, with the familiar slogan "Once The Cong, forever The Cong". Living in that environment, how does Hoang Duc feel about the tradition that he is continuing?
- When I came here, the club was called Viettel, then recently changed to The Cong Viettel as it is now. I can only imagine the tradition of the team when the predecessors told us players about it during meetings. They shared with us how the generation of uncles and brothers played and trained to bring the The Cong brand to the country, bringing glory to the Cups placed solemnly at the club. I also had many opportunities to interact with fans, witnessing their love for the team.
When Viettel Club took back the name The Cong – Viettel, I felt honored and at the same time had more responsibility. That is the responsibility of those who continue the tradition of the old uncles, to continue the path that they have devoted so much effort to cultivate and build.
Currently, The Cong Viettel is in 11th place on the rankings. This is a disappointing ranking compared to the club's previous goal. As a pillar of the team, how do you explain this?
- It is true that up to this point, The Cong Viettel has not been on the right track with the goals and path that were set at the beginning of the season. The reason is probably because the V-League changed the match schedule to be similar to European tournaments, leading to matches being too close together. In the team, many foreign and domestic players were unfortunately injured, in addition, the time spent focusing on the national team caused everything to be interrupted. Due to the lack of time off, the players have not been able to return to their form.
Personally, I always want to complete the goal, as well as achieve the highest ranking with the club. Although we are currently facing some difficulties, I believe that in the near future, when V-League returns, The Cong Viettel will come back stronger, returning to a high ranking on the rankings.
Many top Vietnamese players such as Xuan Truong, Cong Phuong, Quang Hai have tried their hand at playing for foreign clubs. I wonder if Hoang Duc has thought about this?
- In the past 1-2 years, I have always been mentally prepared to play abroad when the opportunity arises. Recently, many clubs have made offers to my management unit, however, up to now, my contract with Viettel The Cong Club is still valid, so I need to serve and devote myself to the club.
Hoang Duc is 26 years old, is it too late to play abroad? Besides, before him, many top Vietnamese players went abroad to play and did not achieve success, and even had very few opportunities to play. Are you afraid of this?
- Of course, going abroad can bring failure or success to each player. What is important is that the seniors have dared to experiment, dared to bravely break out of their own siege to go to a completely new environment. Even if I don't have the opportunity to go abroad, I still think it is necessary for Vietnamese players to go to higher quality tournaments. The more people go, the greater the chance that someone will succeed. There must be people who dare to fail, dare to go first, then those who come after will have more confidence to take the next step.
At this age, I really want to explore myself, see how far I can go, what I lack. If I can succeed in another environment, another country, that will be the motivation for me to develop. If I am not lucky, that is also a lesson for me, an opportunity for me to improve my weaknesses in playing football.
In your opinion, which country's football environment would be suitable for you to try your hand at?
- In previous conversations with me, Coach Park Hang-seo repeatedly advised me to try my hand at K- League of Korea. Recently, Mr. Troussier also encouraged me to go abroad to compete, to choose a better, more competitive environment. Personally, I think that, in order to go step by step, having the opportunity to participate in major tournaments in Asia such as Japan or Korea is the most reasonable.
In other words, according to Hoang Duc, it is very difficult for Vietnamese players to succeed at European clubs?
- In reality, there is a big gap between the Vietnamese football environment and the football environment in European countries, when they have had a long time of development. The teams here all have their own youth training and centers, professional nutrition regimes, and abundant quality.
Vietnamese football is still in the process of being perfected, currently many places do not have their own centers, some teams do not even have a source of young players to succeed their seniors. Nutrition is usually only available to the first team, within a certain allowable range. Meanwhile, this is extremely important, because ensuring 90 minutes of high intensity on the field is not simple. We are far behind them in everything, the most obvious being physical strength, which is nurtured by a good nutritional regimen. Vietnamese people are shorter and smaller, if they do not have physical strength, they will not be able to compete at all.
Is the way you love football different when you were 18 or 20 compared to now?
- I don't think so much. Every time I go out on the field, I always have in mind how I have to play and how hard I have to try to win.
I crave victory and every defeat in any match makes me upset, it takes time to calm down. Maybe it's a little different, when I was young, I cried sometimes because of anger. Now, I've controlled my emotions better, I don't show them on the outside.
Sometimes when I score, people say to me, "Why is this guy's face expressionless?" Actually, at that time I feel very happy, very happy. It's just that I don't show it too much.
People often say that the way a man plays sports reflects who he is in real life. Looking at Hoang Duc's playing style, I guess that in real life he is quite a calm and sophisticated person?
- It's hard to judge yourself. I can only say that I am someone who always thinks about family first, I am dedicated and strive for what I feel is best for my family and my loved ones.
In terms of personality, in real life, I rarely get angry. My parents sometimes wonder why I never yell or get upset with anyone. Sometimes they don't know if I'm upset or too happy because I rarely overreact to anything.
Do you share much with your family about your successes and failures in football ?
- Since I started my football career, whenever I win, my mother and sister are the first people I text and talk to. I also love my father very much but I share less with him, perhaps because we are both men and the way we care for each other is different.
Failures don’t need much talk, at times like that the whole country knows about them. I usually don’t confide my sadness and difficulties in my career because I don’t want my mother or sister to be sad. I think if I’m sad, my relatives will be twice as sad, sometimes worried and sleepless. Meanwhile, what I want is for them to always be cheerful and happy.
The New Year of the Dragon 2024 is coming. What are your plans for this Lunar New Year? Please share a little about your aspirations for the new year?
- In recent years, I rarely go out during Tet. At the moment, my friends are all married, my sister is also married, I usually only spend time at home with my parents. Last Tet, on the 30th of the lunar calendar, I stayed home to watch Tao Quan, then went to the shop to burn incense and personally bring luck to the store. After that, I went to the temple with my parents.
Returning to the club in the early spring, I hope The Cong Viettel will improve day by day, we will try our best to have a better position at the end of the first leg. In March, when the Vietnam National Team has two important matches, I also hope to have the opportunity to concentrate again, to contribute to the flag and the sports of our country.
Thanks for sharing!
Nguyen Hoang Duc was born in 1998 in Hai Duong province. He was discovered by Hai Duong Youth Football Training Center, then transferred to train at Viettel Youth Football Training Center. At the 2016 National U19 Finals held in Nha Trang, he shone and was voted the best player of the tournament.
In 2018, Nguyen Hoang Duc scored 9 goals and had 3 assists to help Viettel win the 2018 V-League 2 championship, thereby promoting to the 2019 V-League 1. He was also voted the best player of the season. In 2020, he was one of the key figures of Viettel and together with Viettel won the 2020 V-League championship, and finished second in the 2020 National Cup.
At the national team level, Hoang Duc and U22 Vietnam won the historic gold medal at SEA Games 30 and defended the gold medal at SEA Games 32. He won the Golden Ball award in 2021 and the Bronze Ball award in 2022.
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