Mr. Kim will have European-class solutions.

Coach Kim Sang-sik's expectations

Coach Kim Sang-sik has been "digging" into the resources of Vietnamese football to build the team's framework in the past 6 months. However, in some positions, including left-back, the Korean coach has not found the optimal solution even though he has tested many faces.

During the training phase of the Vietnamese national team in June, Mr. Kim prioritized using the pillars from his predecessor's time. Phan Tuan Tai and Khuat Van Khang were trusted in turn, in which Tuan Tai made his mark with a cross to assist Nguyen Tien Linh to head the ball into the Philippines' net, while Van Khang also played aggressively in attacking situations on the left wing, actively coordinating with teammates to penetrate the penalty area.

Phan Tuan Tai (white shirt) is not steady enough

The strengths of Tuan Tai and Van Khang are their ability to climb the sidelines, cross the ball and return the ball to the second line. However, the limitations of the duo who used to play for U.23 Vietnam are their physical strength and ability to compete.

Tuan Tai was once used by coach Philippe Troussier as a left-sided center-back, but the unstable defensive skills of the player who used to play for Dak Lak often made it difficult for him to compete one-on-one with the opposing striker, especially in high-ball situations. Tuan Tai was then returned to his favorite left wing by Mr. Kim. However, in a position that requires attacking and defending, playing with a very high intensity in a 3-center-back formation, Tuan Tai has not fully met the requirements.

Similar to his teammate at The Cong Viettel , Van Khang, although playing very enthusiastically and having a good attacking mindset, does not have enough energy to take on the task on the left wing. The proof is that in the last 4 matches of the Vietnam team, Van Khang only played 188 minutes (average 47 minutes/match), not playing the whole match.

For his club, Van Khang has only played 4 of the last 28 matches in the V-League, averaging 60 minutes per match. He is more suited to the role of a strategic reserve than a starter.

Khuat Van Khang is suitable for the role of strategic reserve.

The remaining left-back that Coach Kim has is Nguyen Phong Hong Duy, who is also only playing at an average level or below. Hong Duy is more experienced, but has the same weakness as his two teammates on the left wing, which is that he is not strong in physical strength and fighting, and his crossing and passing skills are only at a moderate level.

The two wings are the key to operating the 3-center-back formation (3-4-3 or 3-5-2), and if coach Kim Sang-sik cannot upgrade the left wing, the Vietnamese team will find it difficult to progress.

Jason Quang Vinh's solution?

According to Thanh Nien Newspaper, the naturalization procedure for Jason Quang Vinh is underway. The defender born in 1997 is likely to receive Vietnamese citizenship before the AFF Cup 2024.

If Jason Quang Vinh completes the paperwork soon, Mr. Kim can call up his student for testing and integration into the squad, similar to the case of Nguyen Filip before the 2023 Asian Cup.

Like Nguyen Filip, Jason Quang Vinh has half Vietnamese blood (his mother is Vietnamese). This factor promises to help the former Sochaux defender quickly become a Vietnamese citizen.

Jason Quang Vinh in CAHN club shirt

If he cannot obtain citizenship in time for the AFF Cup 2024, Jason Quang Vinh is still a long-term solution on the left wing for important tournaments, first of all the Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers starting in March 2025.

Jason Quang Vinh's class has been confirmed. He played for Sochaux in Ligue 2 (France's second division) for 6 years, then moved to the US to play for New York Red Bulls for 3 years (2020 - 2022). Returning to France in 2022, Jason Quang Vinh played for Quevilly Rouen, a team also in the French second division. The 27-year-old defender has played 65 matches in Ligue 2 in just 2 years. He has been a regular starter, usually only missing when injured or suspended.

Honed in the French football environment which is heavy on physicality and collision, having played for the French U.16 team, Jason Quang Vinh is superior to the average Vietnamese player in every aspect, from physique, impact, speed, technique to tactical thinking.

Jason Quang Vinh's role has been demonstrated with 6 starting matches for the Hanoi Police Club since the beginning of the season. The 27-year-old defender has played consistently, attacking and defending diligently, helping coach Alexandre Polking increase his strength on the left wing. Jason Quang Vinh is also gradually improving his weaknesses, which are his Vietnamese language skills and ability to understand his teammates. He is considered sociable, diligent in learning Vietnamese and making progress in his profession.

When Jason Quang Vinh has citizenship, Coach Kim Sang-sik's left wing problem will be solved. Hopefully the solution will come soon.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bai-toan-hau-ve-trai-thay-kim-se-co-loi-giai-dang-cap-chau-au-185241022115213404.htm