Three Vietnamese players named in AFF Cup Best XI
Vietnam had three representatives named in the tournament’s Best XI after the third group round matches of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup on November 20-21.
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They were defender Que Ngoc Hai, midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai and right winger Phan Van Duc.
Ngoc Hai was the most impressive of his team’s three defenders during the match against Myanmar, although he did receive a yellow card. His strong and smart challenges helped Vietnam keep a clean sheet.
Quang Hai was voted the best player of the team in the game. The small midfielder took part in not just Vietnam’s effective defence, but also the attack.
Van Duc nearly scored a goal after at least four threatening attempts were stopped by goalkeeper Kyaw Zin Htet, who was also named in the Best XI.
Other players selected were defender Alvaro Silva of the Philippines, midfielder Pokklaw Anan of Thailand and striker Chan Vathanaka of Cambodia.
The AFF Suzuki Cup 2018 is taking place from November 8 to December 15 with 26 matches among 10 teams. Vietnam are in Group A together with Malaysia, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos.
Vietnam now rank second in Group A, with seven points after two wins and one draw, just behind Myanmar which have the same points but higher goals scored.
This year, the AFF Suzuki Cup will feature a new playing format, with both home and away ties. Vietnam will play Cambodia at Hanoi’s Hang Day Stadium on November 24, while Myanmar will face Malaysia in an away match.
In the tournament’s history, Vietnam won the championship just once in 2008. With the leadership of coach Park Hang-seo and the current squad, both Vietnamese and Korean football fans are hopeful the S-shaped country’s team will take the trophy for the second time after 10 years awaiting.
