Nguyễn Thanh Bình is training with the national senior team for the first time in career. Photo Viettel FC

Football

HÀ NỘI — At 20 years old, Nguyễn Thanh Bình is the youngest member of the Vietnamese national squad at the current training camp.

And now the defender hopes to impress coach Park Hang-seo in training to be part of the South Korean’s plans for the World Cup qualifiers against Indonesia, Malaysia and UAE in Dubai.

Born in 2000 from Thái Bình Province, Bình trained at the Viettel football centre. He was not as famous as some of his other teammates such as forwards Nguyễn Hữu Thắng, Nhâm Mạnh Dũng and Trần Danh Trung but he was still a core member of Viettel’s both junior and senior sides.

Bình and teammates won a bronze at the National U19 Football Championship in 2017. Three years later the team triumphed the National U21 Football Championship after beating Sông Lam Nghệ An 1-0 in the final. It was the first title of the military team at this tournament.

It was at this event Bình began to draw people's attention because of imposing stature as well as skills and technique.

''As you can see, Bình really has a lot of potential as a defender,” said coach Thạch Bảo Khanh of the U21 side.

“His height is good. He has game intelligence and reads situations and makes smart decisions."

Bình was on loan at Bình Định last season where he played all 16 matches for the V.League 2 club and scored one goal. He contributed to the team's promotion to V.League 1 this year.

He also caught eyes of Park's scouts and was for the first time called up to train with the national U22 team last December.

During his year-long load spell at Bình Định, he showed outstanding performances and progress which were main reasons that coach Trương Việt Hoàng decided to call him back and gives him a place in the first team of Viettel.

"In 2021 we play in different competitions, both local and international,” said Hoàng.

“Apart from hiring foreigners, we also want to open the door for our young players including those who won the U21 crown. It will be opportunity for them to sharpen their skills and strengthen their ability."

Nguyễn Thanh Bình (left) competes during the V.League 1 tournament. The 20-year-old has played in all matches of Viettel FC since the beginning of the season. Photo courtesy of VPF

Bình has not been a regular face in the starting line-up but he played in all 12 matches of this season from the bench. He is a strong defender with strong tackles and sometimes used as a secret weapon with headers that challenge every goalkeeper.

With nearly 560 minutes on the field, he is a rare 20-year-old player receiving such much time to perform in the V.League 1, especially under the jersey of the defending champions.

It was no doubt that he had the second time join Park's squads early this month. This time, he is a national team member. Not many Vietnamese players have had such big jump in their careers.

The South Korean trainer has a habit of adding young players to his senior team, a way to let them understand the high pressure and intensity in working with their senior teammates. It is a preparation for long-term plans in his tenure as well as for the coming SEA Games.

After a week practising, defender star Đỗ Duy Manh appreciated his teammate when talking with reporters about Bình.

"He is young but full of desire and contribution,” said Mạnh.

“His outstanding performance at Viettel should be a reason that he is called to the national team.

"Having a chance to train with the national team, senior teammates, experienced coaches is great for every young player like Bình. I believe Bình is a good player. He will grow faster and be better here and in the future.

"The current team includes quality players, juniors and seniors, from different clubs. We have our own strengths. Everyone must show our strongest points, do best as both an individuals and in the teams to vie for a place in the final list and make up a strongest squad."

Only 28 best players will travel with Park to the UAE for three remaining matches of Group G from June 7-15.

"I don't know if I could make it. But first of all I must show my best during the training camp to draw coach Park's attentions," Bình told reporters.

"I hope that I can be a member of the team, and then the SEA Games squad, too." VNS