Following in the footsteps of his seniors
10 years ago, Nguyen Cong Phuong and Que Ngoc Hai participated in a filming event, preparing for the 2016 U23 Asian qualifiers with the U23 Vietnam team.
At that time, Cong Phuong was only 20 years old. He is a great hope for the country's football after his impressive performance at the U19 level. Que Ngoc Hai is 22 years old. A few months earlier, the central defender from Nghe An made his first debut for the Vietnam national team when playing promisingly at the 2014 ASEAN Cup.
For a decade, going through many ups and downs, the 1993 - 1995 generation of players with the above 2 outstanding faces has achieved many successes with the national teams.
Que Ngoc Hai became the second most played player in the history of the Vietnam national team. Not as persistent as his senior, Cong Phuong is still enough for fans to remember, after the emotional matches at the 2018 U23 Asian Cup, 2018 ASIAD or 2019 Asian Cup...
However, the football cycle never stops. After 10 years, the age, physical condition and form of many players in the 1993-1995 era are no longer guaranteed.
Cong Phuong, Ngoc Hai, Hung Dung, Xuan Truong and Tuan Anh are gradually retreating to the "potholes" as an inevitable thing in football. Younger players are gradually given opportunities.
Of course, intertwined with the front of the generation is always a bridge connecting to create seamlessness and continuity. And now, the "loops" that play that role in connecting are Quang Hai and Hoang Duc - two names from the 1997 - 1999 generation who won tickets to the 2017 U20 World Cup.
Value and impact
In October 2017, Quang Hai appeared for the first time in the Vietnam national team. He showed his ability with 1 goal, contributing to an important victory over Cambodia in the 2019 Asian Cup qualifiers.
As the "king of youth tournaments" and holding the captaincy of the U20 Vietnam team participating in the previous World Cup, Quang Hai received the expectations of fans. This player quickly created a strong momentum at the national team level.
Over the past 6 years, Quang Hai has contributed to a series of achievements of the Vietnam national team, including 2 ASEAN Cup championships (2018, 2022), reaching the final qualifying round of the 2022 World Cup or participating in the quarter-finals of the 2019 Asian Cup.
Hoang Duc shined 3 years later than Quang Hai. But right after the explosive period at the ASEAN Cup 2020, the midfielder born in 1998 has improved significantly.
In just the past half decade, Hoang Duc has won 2 Vietnam Golden Balls. In the national team, he is the most important player under coach Park Hang-seo. Mr. Philippe Troussier also affirmed that the World Cup would be closer if the "Golden Star Warriors" had more than 10 classy players like Hoang Duc.
Under the hands of current coach Kim Sang-sik, the contribution value of the midfielder from Hai Duong is even greater. At the 2024 ASEAN Cup, the tournament organizers ranked him No. 1 - with the best attacking and defensive statistics in the tournament.
At the age of 27-28, Quang Hai and Hoang Duc are reaching the peak of their careers. After nearly 7-8 years of playing football, they are also the most experienced players in the Vietnam national team.
The level and performance of Quang Hai and Hoang Duc have been maintained in recent seasons. Thanks to that, although the rotation of football has brought the generations of Cong Phuong, Tuan Anh, Ngoc Hai backstage, the presence of Quang Hai and Hoang Duc continues to receive great trust from fans.
