Midfielder Võ Huy Toàn of HCM City is expected to gain a place in the national time this year. Photo news.vienvong.com

Football

HÀ NỘI - Head coach Park Hang-seo has named four new players that may be called up to the Vietnamese national team.

Recently, at a meeting with his assistants to discuss new tactics for the team, the South Korean coach tipped his hand.

In a recent media appearance, eagle-eyed viewers spotted the Korean-language names of the midfielders Hồ Khắc Ngọc, Dương Văn Hào (Viettel), Nguyễn Hải Huy (Quảng Ninh Coal) and Võ Huy Toàn (HCM City) on a tactics board in the coach's office.

Coach Park Hang-seo revealled four new players in his new tactics. Photo thanhnien.vn

Answering media, the coach did not hesitate to say that he needed more midfielders for the Vietnamese team as he favours the midfield-heavy 3-5-2 formation.

Hào of Viettel played as a striker of the Việt Nam U20 team at the 2017 U20 World Cup. Before that, he also often appeared in the U19 team under coach Hoàng Anh Tuấn. Unfortunately, two years ago, in a match in V.League 2, Hào suffered a serious ankle injury.

However, Hào returned to V.League 1 this year 2020 after two years of surgery, recovery and training. Coach Trương Việt Hoàng did not select him as a starter but brought him on as a sub to good effect, especially in the recent 3-3 draw against HAGL before the league was postponed.

Meanwhile, Ngọc and Huy are experienced midfielders. They are very clever and can control the midfield well.

Great effort

Although Toàn has not regained his best form after injuries, he has been spotted by Park as he has good organisation and distribution skills.

Toàn signed with HCM City FC late last year and has had few opportunities to show his skills with his new team so far.

Toàn won his first senior cap in 2014 at the age of 21 and quickly established himself as a dangerous player with his speed, smarts and powerful shots.

Toàn continued to shine at the Southeast Asian Games 2015 with the title of top scorer. However, because of a spinal disc herniation he suffered in 2015, his career went off track.

His desire and determination to play football helped him overcome the difficult time.

He was called up to the national team to prepare for the AFF Cup 2016. Last year, coach Park also called him up to the national team to compete in the World Cup 2022 qualifying round but was eventually dropped due to injuries.

“For me, returning to the national team last year was a great thing. Park taught me enthusiastically about the exercises and how to avoid injuries during the competition. Before the final team selection, I was injured and although it wasn’t serious, it took my opportunity,” said Toàn.

“Park encouraged me not to be disappointed when I was eliminated. He reminded me that I should be stronger and more determined. I hope I can return to the team soon,” said Toàn. VNS