“With Thailand without many of their biggest stars, Vietnam has moved from second favorites to front-runner,” John Duerden wrote.
ESPN is a U.S.-based global sports website.
Duerden also commented on other aspects of the Vietnamese men’s national football team competing in AFF Cup 2018: “The senior side has not played a lot of late and warmed up with a Korean training camp and friendlies against local clubs. Qualification for the 2019 Asian Cup was impressive and there is a nucleus of young players that have come through the ranks together.”
He also saw 25 year-old goalkeeper Dang Van Lam as the key player in the team, set to be the number one choice in the goalkeeper position for years.
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Goalkeeper Dang Van Lam will be the key player of Vietnam in AFF Cup, according to John Duerden. Photo by VnExpress/Xuan Binh |
“Vietnam has plenty of attacking and creative talent and, if things are tight at the back, there is a real chance of a repeat of Vietnam's 2008 AFF Cup success,” he said.
But the crucial part of the national football team is still head coach Park Hang-seo, who led Vietnam to success at two tournaments this year.
“Park Hang-seo or "Uncle Park" as he is nicknamed in Vietnam - is a popular figure after leading the under-23 team to a series of impressive results in continental tournaments. The tactician has introduced a more pragmatic style to the Golden Stars and they should be harder to beat than before.” Duerden said.
Vietnam, in group A with Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia, will play their first match against Laos on November 8, the opening day of the tournament.