AFC Asian Cup: Vietnam captain a defender of note

By Hoang Nguyen   January 4, 2019 | 05:00 pm PT
AFC Asian Cup: Vietnam captain a defender of note
Vietnamese defender Que Ngoc Hai (L) tries to block a Malaysian striker during AFF's final first leg on December 11, 2018. Photo by VnExpress/Lam Thoa
Centre back Que Ngoc Hai is a defender to watch at this year’s Asian Cup, says Fox Sports.

In the recently concluded victorious AFF Cup 2018 campaign, Hai was the leader of Vietnam’s solid defense and captain of the national team. He won praise for his reading of the game and leadership, greatly contributing to the success of Vietnam’s three-man defense line up. Hai will continue to captain Vietnam at the AFC Asian Cup 2019.

Fox Sports has commended Hai’s career transformation, from being a talented but hot headed and inconsistent player to becoming the leader of Vietnam national football team.

"There has never been any doubt over the versatile defender’s ability but, in recent years, a newfound maturity has seen him start to deliver on his promise," the site wrote.

Five other defenders on the list are: Theerathon Bunmathan of Thailand, Majid Hosseini of Iran, Hiroki Sakai of Japan, Ali Al-Bulaihi of Saudi Arabia and Abdelkarim Hassan of Qatar.

At the AFC Asian Cup 2019, Vietnam are placed in group D with Iran, Iraq and Yemen. Vietnam will play their first match of the group stage against Iraq in Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi at 8:30 p.m on January 8.

 
 
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