The U.23 defenders make the Vietnamese team harder to beat.

Defensive 'musketeers' like Hieu Minh or Nhat Minh are valuable additions to the Vietnamese team's defense.

DEFENSE NEEDS PURIFICATION

The most recent rejuvenation of the Vietnamese team under coach Kim Sang-sik took place in November 2024, when 7 U.23 players were called up to try out. Although only Van Khang and Vi Hao remained in the main squad at the AFF Cup 2024, it is understandable that the pressure of performance made the Korean coach unable to take risks.

However, times have changed. Mr. Kim's position is guaranteed after winning the AFF Cup 2024 with the Vietnamese team, in addition to the U.23 Southeast Asia 2025 title and the ticket to the U.23 Asia 2026 Finals with U.23 Vietnam. With absolute support, the former Jeonbuk coach can confidently reform the team according to his own philosophy, while building the future of Vietnamese football on the foundation of the youth, especially in defense.

Center back Nhat Minh ( right ) plays outstandingly at Hai Phong Club

Photo: MINH TU

The defense used to be a solid fortress that successfully protected the Vietnamese team in the past, with a series of clean sheet records set at the AFF Cup and World Cup qualifiers in the period 2018 - 2022. However, currently, pillars such as Duy Manh, Thanh Chung, Tien Dung... are burdened by age as they begin to reach the age of 30, so the Vietnamese team's defense is shaky.

Most obviously in the V-League, Thanh Chung was injured and declined, Duy Manh also showed his weakness after a ligament injury, Tien Dung and Thanh Binh only played their roles well, or Viet Anh struggled with injuries. It is not a coincidence that 2 out of 3 foreign players that coach Kim Sang-sik proposed to go through the naturalization procedure (Janclesio and Gustavo) are central defenders. Mr. Kim understands which positions are weak and need to be supplemented quickly with foreign resources.

However, for the above foreign players to have citizenship, coach Kim still has to wait a few more months. Janclesio (32 years old) and Gustavo (30 years old) themselves are starting to go past the other side of the slope, and it is difficult to become a long-term choice. The future of the Vietnamese team still needs to be placed on the shoulders of the domestic players, especially the young "musketeers" waiting to step into the light.

CLEARING THE WAY FOR THE FUTURE

Before the 2025 U.23 Southeast Asia tournament, Hieu Minh and Nhat Minh were unfamiliar names to many audiences. Hieu Minh is currently playing for PVF-CAND. Except for the title of "best young player of the first division" and his outstanding height of 1.84 m, he is not too outstanding. Nhat Minh is better than his teammates in having played more time in the V-League, but with 31 starting matches for Hai Phong Club, this central defender cannot be considered a star.

However, both of these "rough gems" have shone brightly under the coaching of coach Kim Sang-sik. Hieu Minh fought bravely in the air, intercepted the ball and read situations well, and had a rare calmness and alertness even though it was his first time with U.23 Vietnam on the international stage. The central defender born in 2003 had a dream start with a double (helping U.23 Vietnam win 3-0 against U.23 Laos), then combined with Ly Duc and Nhat Minh to form a solid defensive trio, helping U.23 Vietnam keep a clean sheet in 5/7 recent matches.

Nhat Minh was a discovery of coach Chu Dinh Nghiem in Hai Phong, but it was not until he joined U.23 Vietnam that this central defender had a real breakthrough. Although he is not tall, his intelligent playing style, along with his ability to push forward to attack, coordinate, press and shoot from afar on the left flank, helped him create a breakthrough in his playing style. This season, he has played 6 matches for Hai Phong (5 matches played the full 90 minutes). Experience in the V-League will help the young central defender "mature" gradually through each match to become mature.

It is still early to say whether Hieu Minh or Nhat Minh will definitely surpass their seniors. But with their qualities and efforts, both are capable of competing equally for a starting position and bringing steel to the Vietnamese team, not inferior to any central defender. The two matches against an underdog opponent with a weak attack like Nepal are also an opportunity for the young central defenders to play and gradually adapt to the level of the national team.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/dan-hau-ve-u23-giup-doi-tuyen-viet-nam-kho-bi-danh-bai-hon-185251002215141583.htm