The Vietnamese team in a training session (Photo: VNA)
Throughoutthe history of football, very few national teams have had the privilege ofboasting exceptionally gifted talents breaking through at the same time, ESPN wrote.
Having a prodigious group ofplayers is one thing, delivering on its potential is a completely differentmatter. With Vietnam on the brink of going the furthest they have ever gonein the quest to reach the FIFAWorld Cup, there is no better time for their goldengeneration to shine than on June 15 when they take on the UAE, according to the newswire.
Labellingany group as the "golden generation" is going to be subjective, sowhat makes the current Vietnamese cohort so special?
It began in January 2018 whenthey reached the final of the AFC U-23 Championship and beating teams likeAustralia, Iraq and Qatar in the process.
They backed that up at senior level at the end of that year,ending a decade-long wait to be crowned champions of Southeast Asia for asecond time when they won the AFFSuzuki Cup, despite having a squad with an average age ofjust 23.7 years.
Vietnamese players in a training session (Photo: VNA) A month later, they were making their first AFCAsian Cup appearance in 12 years and again proved theyhad the mettle to go with their talent. They progressed out of a tough groupthat included heavyweights Iran and Iraq and then beat Jordan in the Round of 16 before narrowly bowing out at thehands of mighty Japan.
But the Vietnamese could arguably surpass all thoseachievements tonight.
According to the article, plenty ofcredit has to go to Vietnam’s coach Park Hang-seo.
Suffice to say, Park can andis now viewed as a fine tactician in his own right.
In the morning of thesame day, Park finalised the list of 23 players for the match against the UAE.
Specifically,goalkeepers include Bui Tan Truong, Nguyen Van Toan and Nguyen Van Hoang.
Defenders are Do DuyManh, Tran Dinh Trong, Nguyen Thanh Chung, Doan Van Hau, Vu Van Thanh, NguyenPhong Hong Duy, Que Ngoc Hai, Bui Tien Dung, Nguyen Trong Hoang and NguyenThanh Binh.
Midfielders compriseNguyen Quang Hai, Pham Duc Huy, Luong Xuan Truong, Tran Minh Vuong and NguyenHoang Duc.
Strikers include NguyenVan Toan, Nguyen Cong Phuong, Nguyen Tien Linh, Ha Duc Chinh and Phan VanDuc./.
