Find the glory
Bui Tien Dung is one of the players who will play the most at the ASEAN Cup 2024. This can be considered a surprise, because from the end of 2023 to the beginning of 2024, this central defender will not have many opportunities to play for the Vietnam National Team. At that time, his predecessor, coach Philippe Troussier, assessed that Tien Dung was not in good physical condition, and that he would have to work hard to recover from his injury step by step.
In fact, a history of disc and pelvic injuries has made it difficult for this player to ensure his playing progress in the past year at both club and national team levels. In a context where many of his teammates from the same era such as Xuan Truong, Duc Huy, Cong Phuong, Hong Duy… are no longer in the calculations of new coach Kim Sang-sik, few people believe that Bui Tien Dung has a chance to join the Vietnam National Team, let alone play in the role of “main actor”.
However, at the ASEAN Cup 2024, Tien Dung became the number 1 choice in the left center-back position of the Vietnam team. He played well and controlled the assigned area well. In the home team's opening goal against the Laos team, Tien Dung was the one who assisted Hai Long to score.
In addition to Tien Dung regaining his glory, Nguyen Hoang Duc, Nguyen Quang Hai, and Nguyen Tien Linh have also found themselves. Under Philippe Troussier, these players have not been able to perform as well as expected. Tien Linh's goal-scoring efficiency is not good, having only scored 1 goal for the Vietnam team in nearly a year; Hoang Duc is struggling in the role of a striker (false 9), or Quang Hai is constantly sitting on the bench in many important matches of the Vietnam team.
However, these three players gradually showed their influence and ability under the guidance of coach Kim Sang-sik.
Midfielder Hoang Duc played very well and exceeded expectations in the second half of the semi-final match against Singapore as well as the two final matches of the ASEAN Cup 2024. Meanwhile, Quang Hai scored 2 goals in the tournament, especially the long-range shot into the net of Indonesia, helping the Vietnamese team defeat their opponents right on home ground, creating a strong morale boost for the whole team.
Tien Linh also benefited from coach Kim Sang-sik. At the 2024 ASEAN Cup, he scored 4 goals and had 2 assists. Only Nguyen Xuan Son scored more goals than the striker from Binh Duong club (7 goals).
The new recruits present
Striker Xuan Son is one of the new faces shining under coach Kim Sang-sik. The titles of Best Player of the Tournament and Top Scorer are enough to prove the talent and influence of the 27-year-old striker on the Vietnam National Team.
In addition, the Korean coach brought interesting discoveries to the home team. Giving a chance to goalkeeper Dinh Trieu was a brave decision for coach Kim Sang-sik when the team still had the presence of Nguyen Filip. In the end, Dinh Trieu responded to his teacher's trust with the title of Best Goalkeeper of ASEAN Cup 2024.
Doan Ngoc Tan is considered a “late bloomer” under the guidance of Mr. Kim Sang Sik. The 30-year-old warrior has been famous as a “plowing machine” in V.League for many years, but it was not until he joined the Vietnam National Team that his name became closer to fans.
Finally, Nguyen Hai Long was given the “main role” in the Vietnam National Team as a right-sided striker. Mr. Kim’s hope was not wrong when the 24-year-old midfielder was the first to score for the Vietnam National Team at the ASEAN Cup against Laos, and also the one to close the memorable championship journey of the “Golden Star Warriors” with a goal that ended all hope for Thailand in the second leg of the final.
