Vietnam U.23 Team: Looking for the new Hoang Duc

The midfield will be responsible for the operation of the U.23 Vietnam team against strong opponents like Thailand and Indonesia.

Van Khang, Quoc Viet and Duc Anh in the training session of the Vietnam U.23 team at Ba Ria stadium.

Photo: VFF

Vietnam U.23 Team: Looking from the example of the national team

Since coach Park Hang-seo arrived at the end of 2017, the Vietnamese national team and the U.23 Vietnamese team have always used a 3-4-3 formation by default, with 3 central defenders in front of the goal, protected by a quartet of midfielders including 2 central midfielders and 2 mobile wing-backs.

This formation has proven effective through the results of three generations of head coaches Park Hang-seo, Philippe Troussier and now Kim Sang-sik, including two AFF Cup championships, the 2018 ASIAD semi-finals, the 2019 Asian Cup quarter-finals, and the 3rd qualifying round of the 2022 World Cup.

Therefore, when coach Kim Sang-sik officially leads the Vietnam U.22 team from now on, to prepare for the 2025 Southeast Asian U.23 tournament, the default 3-4-3 formation will also be applied as with the Vietnam team.

The U.23 Vietnam team's midfield has quite a few players, but finding someone like Hoang Duc is not easy.

Photo: VFF

One of our strengths is our attack line with abundant firepower. But the key will certainly be in the midfield, where young players can refer to the model of the duo Hoang Duc - Ngoc Tan or now Hoang Duc - Minh Khoa in the Vietnam national team.

At this time, Mr. Kim has 12 names planned for the midfield including Van Truong (Hanoi Club), Xuan Bac (PVD-CAND), Cong Phuong, Khuat Van Khang, Nguyen Thanh Dat (The Cong Viettel ), Nguyen Quang Vinh, Dinh Xuan Tien (SLNA), Pham Minh Phuc (CAHN), Nguyen Thai Son, Le Van Thuan (Thanh Hoa Club), Nguyen Phi Hoang (Da Nang Club), Le Viktor (Ha Tinh Club).

Among these, the core group will include Van Truong, Van Khang, Xuan Tien, Thai Son and Le Viktor, who are either very experienced in international tournaments or have proven their effectiveness with Mr. Kim.

Looking for the new Hoang Duc

Vietnam U.23 team aims to win the U.23 Southeast Asian Championship for the third consecutive time

Photo: VFF

Van Truong has been tested by many coaches in the central defense role, even when he was only 19 years old, he stood with Van Khang to control the midfield and drew with U.23 Korea, U.23 Thailand and beat U.23 Malaysia to enter the quarterfinals of the 2022 U.23 Asian Cup.

In theory, both will be able to reunite in the U.23 Vietnam team this time, still ensuring combativeness thanks to Xuan Truong's long strides and Van Khang's ability to skillfully escape pressing and maintain rhythm.

However, Mr. Kim still has another very intelligent and technical conductor in Xuan Tien, the SLNA midfielder who played prominently at the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia in 2023. In addition, former HAGL player Duc Viet is also a deep-lying playmaker option as an anchor.

Match schedule of Vietnam U.23 team at Southeast Asian U.23 tournament

Photo: VFF

Dinh Xuan Tien is not strong in defense, but in return he has a good sense of space to be able to launch sharp passes for the strikers above, besides rushing up to score goals himself.

On the contrary, Thai Son and to some extent Quang Vinh bring efficiency from their defensive support ability and competitive intensity, just like how Ngoc Tan "captivated" coach Kim Sang-sik at the Vietnam national team.

But looking at the bigger picture, perhaps Mr. Kim will choose a more balanced and team-oriented option because the U.23 Vietnam team has yet to find a new Hoang Duc, while Van Khang has often played as a winger rather than a central midfielder.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/doi-tuyen-u23-viet-nam-di-tim-hoang-duc-moi-185250701165100646.htm