Banh Thup surprised
Coach Kim Sang-sik had to change the U22 Vietnam executive board, partly due to the injury of midfielder Nguyen Van Truong. The player playing for Hanoi FC had to undergo surgery due to the pain she encountered in the CFA Team China friendly tournament. Finally, Mr. Kim chose Khuat Van Khang and Nguyen Dinh Bac as team captain and vice team captain.
This decision brought certain surprises to experts. At this time, Khuat Van Khang has not created a huge impact in terms of expertise, and his leadership role is not really clear. But he is the most experienced player in the current U22 Vietnam squad.
Van Khang has made certain contributions to the 2024 ASEAN Cup championship of the Vietnam National Team. The defender born in 2003 has experienced all levels of youth football and always left her mark on her expertise. Moreover, Khuat Van Khang has experience as captain of the U16 and U19 Vietnam teams in the past. Of course, Kim Sang-sik has a basis to make his decision.
Nguyen Dinh Bac will take on the role of vice captain of the U22 Vietnam team. With the current tactics of U22 Vietnam, Khuat Van Khang will not be able to start in every match or play the full 90 minutes. Dinh Bac is not the oldest player, but has a strong personality, ready to bring energy to his teammates.
Not to mention, U22 Vietnam in difficult circumstances still has a few "defending" names such as Nguyen Thai Son, Nguyen Hieu Minh and even Tran Trung Kien. Basically, coach Kim Sang-sik has shaped the framework for U22 Vietnam.
The Korean coach has finalized the list of participants in the congress and said goodbye to Le Van Ha, Bui Vi Hao, Nguyen Duc Viet, Tran Thanh Trung, Dinh Quang Kiet. The 33rd SEA Games journey officially began with Mr. Kim Sang-sik and his team.
Pressure on Khuat Van Khang
In the last 3 training sessions of U22 Vietnam before leaving for Thailand, Khuat Van Khang showed great determination. In contrast to the image of a player with a strong technical and skillful style, Van Khang continuously chases the ball, ready to fiercely block his teammates. Some players even said that Van Khang is now ready to explode.
With such determination, Van Khang will certainly face many pressures for himself. For young teams, the captain's armband plays an even more important role mentally. Van Khang now not only needs to play well but also needs to maintain the ability to command and encourage the spirit of many young players.
Khuat Van Khang will be the one to "stand up to the challenge" for the achievements of U22 Vietnam. Entering this tournament, U22 Vietnam owns the squad with the highest value according to statistics from the transfer website Transfermakt. However, this does not mean that the dream of winning a Gold Medal is easier for the "Golden Star Warriors".
U22 Vietnam still has to face many risks right from the group stage. At the 33rd SEA Games, men's football was divided into 3 groups and only the top 3 teams and the second-placed teams with the best results qualified for the semi-finals. U22 Vietnam is in Group B with U22 Malaysia and U22 Laos.
First, the risk of U22 Vietnam not being able to win, even stumbling against U22 Malaysia is completely possible. Meanwhile, winning big against Laos U22 is not easy at this time. The team from the land of a million elephants is improving and their 8 young players have just caused many difficulties for the Vietnam National Team in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.
Under such great pressure, Khuat Van Khang needs to prove his ability on and off the pitch. Overcoming the challenge of being a leader, the career of the midfielder born in 2003 can completely step on a new page after the 33rd SEA Games.
