On the training ground in Hanoi, Hai attracted attention from the press, but was requested to wear a mask during the interview as he has just returned from Europe. After France's second division Ligue 2 entered the break, Hai, who's playing for Pau FC, had a two-week training with his personal coach.
Hai revealed that he's at the finest state and ready to conquer the 2022 AFF Cup with Vietnam.
The 25-year-old midfielder began the training session with excitement. According to Hai, the training period in Switzerland helped him improve his stamina and some of his weaknesses.
The most recent game of Hai was on October 29 in Coupe de France, where he played 14 minutes in the 3-0 win of Pau against Salinieres Aigues Mortes.
Hai (number 19) quickly got used to the intensity of the training session. He talked and smiled a lot with teammates.
The national team started training in late November to prepare for the 2022 AFF Cup and played two friendlies, winning 2-1 against Borussia Dortmund and 1-0 against Philippines. Hai didn't play these two games, but still one of if not the most important player of the national team in the AFF Cup.
Among 25 players that got called up by coach Park, Hai is the only one who's playing overseas. He has five days to train with the team before the opening match of group B with Laos on December 21.
The on-ball skills and creativity of Hai is expected to help Vietnam have an extra option in breaking through defensive teams like Laos. Vietnam beat Laos 2-0 in the opener of the 2020 AFF Cup, which was delayed to last year due to Covid-19.
The 2022 AFF Cup is not in FIFA calendar, so Pau FC have the right to keep Hai at the club but eventually allowed him to go back and compete in the tournament, upon Hai's desire.
"I had conversations with parties to find a common ground for this matter. I always want to play for the national team and want to win this title as a parting gift for coach Park Hang-seo," Hai said.
Coach Park at the training. He will leave the team after the tournament, ending a five-year successful run with Vietnamese football.
Vietnam won the 2018 AFF Cup, but last year, they were eliminated in the semifinals by Thailand, who won the championship.
