Vietnam's soccer team faces challenges
Vietnam's soccer team suffers major blow
On October 2, Vietnam lost 0-1 against Australia at My Thanh Stadium, with player Dang Van Lam out for four months with a shoulder injury after returning home. Coach Park Hang-seo had to look for a replacement, and Dang Van Lam's absence undoubtedly caused a huge loss for the Vietnamese team.
"Losing Dang Van Linh is a huge loss for the Vietnamese team." Speaking to reporters at a pre-match training session in the UAE on the evening of October 1 local time, substitute goalkeeper Tuan Nguyen Manh said, "I was a bit nervous in the first two days after I was just handed into the team. But now, I have regained my confidence and am showing myself on the field."
Nguyen Tuan Manh was once the starting goalkeeper for Vietnam. However, he lost his starting position in the national team after receiving a red card for a mistake against Indonesia in the second leg of the AFC Cup semifinals in 2016.Park Hang-seo recalled him to the national team once again in 2019, but unfortunately, he missed out on playing in the second qualifying round of the 2022 WC due to injury.
"Two years after returning to the national team, I feel very fortunate. This is a source of motivation for me to show myself to the fullest. I will try to do my best because I want to contribute to the team. I believe I deserve this position." Nguyen Jun Manh said.
In this World Qualifying 12 tournament, head coach Park Hang-seo brought four goalkeepers, besides Nguyen Tuan Manh, Bui Chin Truong (Bùi Tấn Trường), Nguyen Van Quan (Nguyễn Văn Toàn) and Nguyen Van Huong (Nguyễn Văn Hoàng).
In addition, according to several Vietnamese media reports, the Vietnamese team, which has already lost six key players, was worried by head coach Park Hang-seo when defender Vũ Văn Thanh suffered a suspected injury during the first training session on the evening of October 1, local time, and was not even able to stick around to complete the entire training session. He immediately asked Vũ Văn Thanh to stop training and undergo a medical checkup. It was reported that Vu Van Thanh was still able to walk normally and was not seriously injured. Doctors applied ice packs to ease the pain.
