AFC Asian Cup 2019: Team Preview Vietnam

South Korean coach Park Hang-seo has selected a young and vibrant Vietnam squad who would rely on counter-attacking opportunities with their breath-taking pace along with strikes from long-range. Park would be aiming to finish behind top seeds Iran in Group D if they surpass Iraq in their crucial initial game.

Past Performance:

Vietnam did not qualify for the 2015 Asia Cup after managing just a solitary victory in their six matches in the group stages. Huynh Quoc Anh and Nguyen Trọng Hoang managed three goals for 'The Golden Dragons' in the 2015 qualifiers.

Statistics:

Vietnam competes in their second Asian Cup after being knocked out in the quarter-finals of the 2007 Asia Cup where they made their debut. In four matches they have won one and drawn one and ending their 2007 campaign with two defeats to finish with a 25% win percentage.

Current Form:

Vietnam played eleven internationals in 2018 registering an impressive seven victories and four draws. Though they have not lost a single game this year, their opponents were all ranked lower than them. Park feels the team will remain a worthy contender when they face the mighty West Asian teams in their group encounters.

Key Players:

ASEAN youth player of the year in 2018, Nguyen Quang Hai leads the South East Asian side in search of a knock-out berth during their 2019 AFC campaign. Hai who is in brilliant form this year has already taken home the MVP from the AFF Finals last month and additionally became the joint-top-scorer at the 2018 Asian Games.

Nguyen Cong Phuong has come down the lines of the HAGL–Arsenal JMG Academy and has grown into one of the promising talents in Vietnamese football gaining him the nickname of "Messi Vietnam".He continued charming his fans with his style of play and rightfully won the most favorite player’s titles in 2017 and 2018.

Nguyen Cong Phuong nicknamed "Messi Vietnam" in the red jersey

Fixtures:

Tuesday, 08 January 2019: Vietnam (100) vs Iraq (88) - Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi at 19:00 IST.

Saturday, 12 January 2019: Vietnam (100) vs Iran (29) - Al Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi at 16:30 IST.

Wednesday, 16 January 2019: Vietnam (100) vs Yemen (135) - Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain at 21:30 IST.

Odds:

The young Vietnamese squad faces an uphill battle when they take on the attack-minded Iraqi team in their first game which could turn out either way. They have never run into the Iranian team and are unexpected to present a significant challenge to them either. They have never played against Yemen, but their superior ranking and youthful vibrancy may tilt the match in their favor.

They would meet Australia in the round of sixteen if they finish third or would meet Saudi Arabia if they finish second in Group D.

Squad:

Average Age: 23 years

International Caps: 278

International Goals: 35

Head Coach: Park Hang-Seo (South Korea)

Goalkeepers: Bui Tien Dung (FLC Thanh Hóa), Nguyen Tuan Mạnh (Sanna Khánh Hòa BVN), Đặng Văn Lâm (Hai Phong)

Defenders: Đỗ Duy Mạnh (Hà Nội), Que Ngoc Hai (captain) (Song Lam Nghe An), Bui Tien Dung (Viettel), Doan Van Hậu (Hà Nội), Ho Tan Tai (Becamex Binh Duong), Nguyễn Thành Chung (Hà Nội)

Midfielders: Lương Xuan Trường (Hoang Anh Gia Lai), Nguyễn Huy Hùng (Quang Nam), Nguyễn Trọng Hoang (FLC Thanh Hóa), Ngân Van Đai (Hà Nội), Nguyễn Phong Hong Duy (Hoang Anh Gia Lai), Tran Minh Vương (Hoang Anh Gia Lai), PhạmĐức Huy (Hà Nội), Đỗ Hùng Dung (Hà Nội)

Strikers: Nguyen Van Toan (Hoang Anh Gia Lai), Nguyen Công Phượng (Hoang Anh Gia Lai), Hà Đức Chinh (SHB Đà Nang), Nguyen Quang Hai (Hà Nội), Phan Van Đức (Song Lam Nghe An), Nguyễn Tiến Linh (Becamex Binh Duong)