Imprint from Hai Long
If you didn't follow the Vietnam team's friendly matches in September and October and didn't keep up with the news of the training camp in South Korea in November, many people would be surprised by the starting lineup that coach Kim Sang-sik chose. Goalkeeper Nguyen Dinh Trieu and midfielder Doan Ngoc Tan made their debut in an official match for the Vietnam team. Defenders Truong Tien Anh, Khuat Van Khang, midfielder Nguyen Hai Long and striker Bui Vi Hao also made their first AFF Cup appearances. With a squad that lacked experience - based on the modest number of appearances for the Vietnam team before - many people thought that the Korean coach was complacent against Laos.
However, this is a diagram that Mr. Kim Sang-sik has gradually built over the past 3 months. Looking at what these players have shown in the V.League, Mr. Kim has shown fairness in creating conditions for many faces who are achieving good form and fitness. Among them, the versatile piece named Nguyen Hai Long has shown part of the coaching personality of coach Kim Sang-sik.
He is not a pure right winger in a 3-4-3 formation, nor does he simply operate as a box-to-box midfielder in a 3-5-2 formation. In Kim's coaching philosophy, Hai Long is allowed to operate freely on the field. The player born in 2000 can drop back to support the defense when Vietnam is counter-attacked by Laos. Conversely, when the home team attacks, Hai Long will try to exploit the space in the opponent's defense. It doesn't matter whether that area is the left or right wing, Hai Long is allowed to move wherever he feels is appropriate.
The opening goal against Laos was a typical example. Hai Long was on the right touchline and suddenly moved to the left wing, then broke the offside trap, received a pass from Bui Tien Dung before unleashing a beautiful left-footed shot that beat the Laos goalkeeper. Remember, Hai Long is right-footed, but he can still shoot with his weaker foot with great power. This is how coach Kim Sang-sik has exploited the value of this player.
Van Vi's turning point
The goal that Hai Long scored also came from the presence of another versatile piece, Nguyen Van Vi. It was no coincidence that after this player entered the field in the second half, the Vietnam team played better and scored 4 goals against Laos. Unlike Van Khang, who played quite safely by only sticking to the left wing and had little tendency to advance, Van Vi was more reckless when he often appeared in the opponent's field.
Van Vi helped change the shape of the Vietnam team in the second half, the 3-4-3 formation was pushed higher, the central defenders operated wider across the field. At one point, the "Golden Star Warriors" even changed to a 4-3-3 formation. At that time, central defender Bui Tien Dung moved to play left back, creating conditions for Van Vi to move up to support the home team's attack. Coach Kim Sang-sik's idea was effective. Tien Dung's pass from the left wing was good enough for Hai Long to take advantage of and open up the game for the Vietnam team.
Van Vi not only brings value when climbing the left wing. This player also tends to move into the middle, combining with Hoang Duc and Quang Hai in the midfield of the Vietnam team. This helps the team block many counter-attacks from the middle of the Laos team. Even starting from blocking from afar, the Vietnam team quickly changes the state, threatening the opponent. Tien Linh's second goal came from a high-altitude ball steal by Quang Hai - a typical example.
The appearance of Hai Long and Van Vi helps the home team play more openly and flexibly in their attacks. After nearly 7 months in charge, coach Kim Sang-sik is creating his own personality and unique style in the way he operates the Vietnam National Team's lineup.
