Viet Nam News
HA NOI — Viet Nam’s head coach Park Hang-seo has announced his final 20-man squad for the upcoming Asian Games (ASIAD) in Indonesia.
Notably, the coach left Vietnamese-Russian goalkeeper Dang Van Lam out of the squad in favour of Bui Tien Dung and Nguyen Van Hoang.
Park’s decision made fans surprised as Lam, 26, has been in good form and is considered the best goalkeeper among the three U23 Viet Nam goalies and in the national premier league.
However, with only three players aged 23 plus allowed, Park chose to leave Lam at home to take veterans Nguyen Anh Duc, Nguyen Van Quyet and Do Hung Dung to the Games.
The South Korean coach tested the three players in the 1-1 draw with Uzbekistan in the International U23 Football Tournament – VinaPhone Cup 2018 which concluded in Ha Noi on Tuesday, with Viet Nam taking the title.
Lam is still expected to Viet Nam’s No 1 in the upcoming AFF Suzuki Cup and Asian Cup.
After hearing the news, Lam wasn’t too sad and said he would try harder.
“I thank everyone for encouraging me. My football path has never been easy. However, it will be a driving force for me to try more and more,” said Lam.
“Vietnamese blood runs in my body and I won’t give up. I hope my teammates play well and to see everyone in other events,” Lam added.
Following the friendly tournament, Viet Nam will train in Binh Duong Province before heading to Indonesia on August 11.
At the AFC event, Viet Nam are in Group D alongside Japan, Pakistan and Nepal.
The men’s football kicks off on August 14 and will finish on September 1 in Indonesia. It will feature 26 teams in two groups of five and four groups of four. The top two teams from each group and the four best third-place teams will advance to the second round.
At the 2014 ASIAD in Incheon, South Korea, Viet Nam, coached by Japan’s Toshiya Miura, took a surprising 4-1 win over Iraq in the group stage before making it through to the round of 16, where they were defeated by the United Arab Emirates. — VNS
Viet Nam’s ASIAD squad:
Goalkeepers: Bui Tien Dung (FLC Thanh Hoa), Nguyen Van Hoang (Sai Gon).
Defenders: Do Duy Manh, Tran Dinh Trong, Doan Van Hau, Pham Duc Huy, Nguyen Thanh Chung (Ha Noi), Vu Van Thanh, Pham Xuan Manh (SLNA), Bui Tien Dung (Viettel), Trinh Van Loi (Hai Phong)
Midfielders: Do Hung Dung, Nguyen Quang Hai, Nguyen Van Quyet (Ha Noi), Luong Xuan Truong (HAGL), Phan Van Duc (SLNA)
Forwards: Nguyen Anh Duc (Binh Duong), Ha Duc Chinh (Da Nang), Nguyen Cong Phuong, Nguyen Van Toan (HAGL)