Great opportunity for Vietnam
The Vietnamese team just had a hard-fought draw against the Philippines in the fourth round of the 2024 ASEAN Cup group stage. Currently, the Vietnamese team is leading with 7 points, 3 points more than the second-placed team Indonesia and won the direct confrontation, and 3-4 points more than Myanmar and the Philippines. Therefore, if they do not lose to Myanmar in the final round, Quang Hai and his teammates will definitely be in the semi-finals as the top team in Group B.
Two other scenarios can also help coach Kim Sang-sik's team advance, even if they lose to Myanmar. That is when Vietnam loses 0-1 to Myanmar and Indonesia wins the Philippines by 2 goals or less; or Vietnam loses to Myanmar by 1 goal and scores against the opponent (1-2, 2-3, 3-4...), plus Indonesia beats the Philippines. Quang Hai and his teammates can advance as the second team if two scenarios occur, including Vietnam losing to Myanmar and Indonesia not winning against the Philippines, or Vietnam losing 0-1 to Myanmar and Indonesia winning against the Philippines by 3 goals or more. At that time, the "Golden Star Warriors" will meet Thailand in the semi-finals. The only possibility that Vietnam will be eliminated is when Myanmar wins by 2 goals or more and Indonesia wins against the Philippines.
Waiting for Xuan Son to "go to battle"
In the last 3 matches, the Vietnam team has been criticized for overusing long passes. It is true that Vietnam has scored goals or created some dangerous opportunities from this method, but the frequency of effectiveness is not enough to convince the world. The key lies in the target striker when Nguyen Tien Linh, Nguyen Hai Long or Dinh Thanh Binh are not the type of players who are strong and powerful enough to press the opponent's defenders in situations where they often receive passes from their teammates.
This is the strength of a naturalized striker like Nguyen Xuan Son. Being a player with a lot of energy and improvisation in his playing technique, Xuan Son is strong and good enough to handle situations where he receives the ball, turns his back on the goal and endures pressure from the opposing defenders. This player can be a satisfactory solution to the ineffective long ball problem that Mr. Kim Sang-sik has been operating for the Vietnam National Team in the last 3 matches.
“With Xuan Son, midfielders or wingers will have an additional connection point. While waiting for Xuan Son to keep the ball and maneuver, the surrounding satellites will quickly move to suitable spaces and receive a pass, which can be a pass down the line, or a step back for the second line to run up. In addition, with his strength and ability to sweep, Xuan Son can solve difficult situations for the Vietnam team by himself. Something that is not easy for current Vietnamese players to handle,” analyzed Mr. Le Minh Dung - former assistant of the Vietnam team.
December 21, 2024 marks the 5th anniversary of Nguyen Xuan Son's arrival in Vietnam. According to FIFA regulations, he is eligible to play for the Vietnam National Team in the match against Myanmar at Viet Tri Stadium, Phu Tho. The player born in 1997 is eager to score goals to make a smooth debut for the Vietnam National Team at the ASEAN Cup 2024.
Sharing at the press conference before the match, Nguyen Xuan Son said: “For me, this is a wonderful and memorable moment in my life. I am happy to be here. Regarding singing the National Anthem, I am confident that I can do it in the next match. I have practiced singing the National Anthem every day.”
