Vietnam’s monumental leap into the higher reaches of Asian football, has been one of the standout stories of the last twelve months. From a promising contingent of youth players to regional champions, their return to the Asian Cup for the first time on foreign soil since 1960 marks the cherry on their cake. With justifiable hype swirling around their players and coach, can they go one step further and provide an upset in January?
The early signs were there back in 2016, with a strong run to the semi-finals of the U19 Championships, followed by their debut U20 World Cup campaign the summer after, Vietnam were building a strong youth presence ready to make the transition to the full international stage. This year’s accolades, from their run to the final of the U23 Championships at the start of the year, to their semi-final appearance at the Asian Games (first time in over 50 years), their crowning glory saw them fully transition to the seniors, clinching their first Suzuki Cup in a decade.
Their ambition is clear, but realistic. World Cup qualification is a long-term goal, to qualify for 2030, bypassing this current generation and laying down the gauntlet to the next production line, tipped to surpass the current crop. That would be some going given the pedestal this side is now placed, engulfing Vietnam into national celebration over the last few weeks upon their AFF triumph, the country is currently riding a tidal wave of emotion, perfectly placed for their trip to the Emirates.
Qualification in itself was much less of a fairy-tale. The second round, they illustrated an upturn in quality, pushing Iraq and regional rivals Thailand hard in the group stage, but plenty had to do with the opposition’s deficiencies. The third round was similarly poised, and while Vietnam finished unbeaten over the stage, back-to-back draws against both Jordan and Afghanistan, should be noted to suppress expectations that Vietnam will ease into things next month.
Qualification of course was more than a year ago now, a long time in much of these Vietnamese players’ careers, given the squad averages out at 24 years of age. Also, it forgets the impact new South Korean coach Park Hang-seo has had on the current crop and the wider footballing landscape.
Far from being a household name in Korean football, Park’s influence since moving to Vietnam last year has been outstanding, not just in the success he’s brought but the changes he’s made in such a short space of time. The team has developed a style of play, now symbolic with this current crop, trusting young players in big match situations but in tandem pleasing those veterans that continue to add stardust and experience to the squad harmony.
While their Suzuki Cup victory owed plenty to the sheer talent of the younger generation, the likes of striker Nguyen Anh Duc, keeper Dang Van Lam and skipper Nguyen Van Quyet added the spine to their creation. The former topped the goal scoring charts, while the shot stopper (currently edging out the highly thought of Bui Tien Dung) reaffirmed his spot as the number one choice going into the Asian Cup after scepticism from some.
The undoubted focus will however be on the younger, more eye-catching options in the starting picture. For what it’s worth, that is clearly understandable, with such a raft of options that look set for promising careers outside of Vietnam, which for so long hasn’t looked to be a possibility for previous generations.
Central midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai headlines the bill. Despite only being 21, Quang Hai is the side’s clear star man, taking on responsibility for attack initiation, and with ever more regularity finishing the play off. His influence in a midfield, that could be overloaded against a typically midfield hungry set up, is astounding, taking up the role of sitter, box-to-box engine and creator all in his stride.
Quang Hai has personified the new attitude spurred on by Park, one of release, freedom and confidence to express themselves on the counter. Pigeon holing any player in this squad otherwise is difficult, even the central defensive trio have demonstrated their ability for quick possession, even in dangerous situations and their willingness to play their part in transition play. With the success, and relative ease in which it has been achieved, it leaves them however with the challenge of bringing this to senior continental level competition.
Park’s initial squad selection paints a worrying development in this regard. Two of the “older” guard (Nguyen’s Anh Duc & Van Quyet) have been deselected through fatigue, off the back of a heavy going Suzuki Cup campaig. Injuries to two further starters in Vu Van Thanh and Tran Dinh Trong means a second-rate inexperienced squad will be rolled out in the Emirates.
Given the group stage draw, that pits them against two of the more street wise and experienced Asian nations in Iran and Iraq, the potential to be stopped dead in their tracks is one that Park will have to predict. Another concern is goals, and the exclusions of the two more experienced players in the line-up emphasises this point. The team for all their positives, create little in the way of opportunities, relying mainly on catching out defences on the counter. Consequently, they’ve regularly shared the goals around, with Quang Hai leading the charge, more often than not with individually brilliant efforts over anything sustainable.
This makes Vietnam’s return to the Asian Cup so interesting to assess from outside. The focus from the outset isn’t on winning the competition, or even progressing to the latter stages, but instead to test this generation out against the top teams in the business. Whether this sees them come out fighting or shrink from the limelight may force a knock-on effect that’ll roll on into a new World Cup qualifying campaign.
Key Men
Head Coach - Park Hang-Seo (KOR)
Former South Korean youth coach, who joined Vietnam with a relatively subdued reputation. His ascension as coach of the seniors and U23 sides in Vietnam could be considered convenient timing, yet his team has quickly taken on the manager’s mould of reactive, counter attacking football which has received notable plaudits.
Star Player - Nguyen Quang Hai
The star of this promising Vietnamese crop, Quang Hai is now attracting interest regionally ahead of a coming of age tournament in January. The central midfielder offers tactical foresight, speed in transition and a credible scoring touch, to a side that excels on quick counters. After man of the tournament displays at the last U23s Asian Games and Suzuki Cup tournaments, the senior Asian Cup looks a perfect testing ground.
Rising To The Occasion - Dang Van Lam
One of the few areas of doubt surrounding this Vietnam side going into the Suzuki Cup was in net, with Moscow born Van Lam taking the lead of late. Only brought into the fold towards the end of qualification, Van Lam had a standout performance in their AFF success, yet is likely to be the player under the microscope the most on the run up to flying out to the Emirates.
Young Prospect - Doan Van Hau
19-year-old left wing back who is rising quickly to promise after cementing a starting position with Vietnamese champions Hanoi over the last season. Having starred recently in Vietnam’s run to the semi-finals of the Asian Games earlier this year, Van Hau transitioned straight through to the seniors at the Suzuki Cup with compatriot Vu Van Thanh missing out through injury.
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