and I\u2019ve been leading that charge for a while<\/a>) but to focus only on the final third is to do a disservice to what\u2019s been arguably the nation\u2019s greatest strength in qualification so far. <\/p>\n\n\n\nI\u2019ve said plenty about not being the\ngreatest admirer of the team\u2019s reactive tactical approach but you have to hand\nit to the players in being able to implement that philosophy in a very impressive\nmanner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is a team that has in many ways grown\nup together through the various youth sides and in the back five that\nfamiliarity is immediately evident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Goalkeeper Dang Van Lam may be a relatively\nnew addition as a starter but in both the AFF Suzuki Cup and qualification so\nfar he\u2019s been an imposing figure and without his crucial penalty save in the\nfirst half against Thailand this week Vietnam may well not be sitting two\npoints clear at the head of the standings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The wingbacks, Doan Van Hau and Nguyen\nTrong Hoang straddle the age divide with the former one of Asia\u2019s brightest\nyoung things and the latter \u2013 aptly nicknamed the \u2018Buffalo\u2019 \u2013 a reliable\nveteran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those on the fringes waiting for a chance\nare just as talented and with Vu Van Thanh finally over crippling injury he\nadds an intriguing option on either side \u2013 or further forward \u2013 of the back\nfive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Under the rigid Korean coach Park Hang-seo,\nthe wide defenders\/wingbacks are charged with working just as hard, if not\nharder, in maintaining the team\u2019s defensive shape than they are in pushing\nforward and contributing in attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s the central defensive trio though that\nhave, for me, been the real stars of qualification thus far. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The left-sided Bui Tien Dung is 24, the\nright-sided Do Duy Manh is 23 and the rock that holds everything together in\nthe brilliant central option, Que Ngoc Hai, is just 26.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s easy to interpret numbers as being a\ncomplete analysis but in this situation it\u2019s absolutely justified \u2013 through\nfive matches this defensive unit has conceded just the single goal and that was\na late effort in Indonesia with the match already in the bag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Previously with both Tien Dung and Duy Manh there was always the sense that they were steady contributors but not necessarily standout performers \u2013 prone to positional lapses and rash passes but over the past 12 months both have improved out of sight.<\/p>\n\n\n
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