Does Bui Vi Hao deserve criticism?

Vi Hao needs to be viewed more fairly

There are many “ifs” for Bui Vi Hao in the first leg of the AFF Cup 2024 semi-final on the evening of December 26 with Singapore.

If Vi Hao had coordinated with Xuan Son in the sharp counter-attack at the end of the first half instead of trying to lean forward to finish, if the 21-year-old striker had been more meticulous in the situation facing the Singapore goalkeeper (minute 62), perhaps the team would have been more careful. The Vietnamese team did not have to wait until extra time in the second half to decide the victory at Jalan Besar.

In both of these phases, Vi Hao’s weakness was exposed. The player born in 2003 does not have good enough legs and stretching strength, and does not possess the necessary “coolness” to turn opportunities into goals.

Entering the semi-finals, in matches where there are not many scoring opportunities, missing key moments can become the Vietnamese team’s weakness. Luckily, in last night’s match, Singapore also finished poorly. Coach Kim Sang-sik and his team won because… they were less bad than their opponents, but it cannot be said that the Vietnamese team played excellently.

However, it would be unfair to criticize Vi Hao for two missed situations. Because first of all, it is no coincidence that coach Kim Sang-sik “marked” Vi Hao from the September training session, then planned this striker to become the nucleus of the attack. At AFF Cup 2024, Vi Hao started 5 out of 6 matches, playing a total of 330 minutes, the third most on the team (only behind Hoang Duc and Thanh Chung).

Even though he has many quality strikers in his hands like Van Toan, Tuan Hai, or young players with experience under his predecessors like Quoc Viet and Van Truong, Mr. Kim still believes in Vi Hao – the inherently young star. never played for the national team before he arrived.

Because Coach Kim Sang-sik saw Vi Hao’s ability. Binh Duong’s young striker has diligence and enthusiasm in his playing style. He can run continuously, accelerate well in short distances, persistently cling to put pressure on the opponent when he has the ball, and at the same time run to open space for teammates to run. It was Vi Hao’s hard running and fighting efforts that contributed to wearing down the physical strength of Singapore’s defense, leading to the home team’s mistake being revealed in the second half’s injury time.

Unlike other strikers who “hang in a hammock” waiting for the ball, Vi Hao runs hard to find opportunities. According to statistics, the 21-year-old striker is one of the people with the widest range and the most long-range defensive support on the field. To evaluate Vi Hao’s contributions, we need to look at the overall match, instead of a few moments (although the match is sometimes decided by just one situation).

Progress every match

As for Vi Hao, he went from the position of “secondary double” of U.23 Vietnam to the core of the national team in just 6 months.

In 2023, no one will advance as strongly as Vi Hao. The 21-year-old striker also won Binh Duong’s starting position from 2022. In the past 2 years, Vi Hao played 72 matches in the V-League. No U.21 player has played more in the same period.

From being a player who was criticized for being physically weak and controversial to becoming an important choice in the Vietnamese team, Vi Hao has made outstanding efforts. In his first AFF Cup appearance at the age of 21, it was difficult to ask Vi Hao to do better.

Remember, it is very difficult to find shining stars in national team colors at the age of 21 like Quang Hai, Dinh Trong, Xuan Truong… have done. Each player has a unique development cycle, but the common point is that they all need lessons to grow.

After the “unfortunate” match at Jalan Besar, Vi Hao was advised by the coaching staff to adjust the sights. In the second leg, maybe the striker born in 2003 will present a new look. But maybe… no. But Vi Hao will contribute to the gameplay in one way or another.

What fans should do is be tolerant of young players. No one becomes a person without ever going through mistakes. Because football is a mirror that reflects life, Vi Hao needs to be given more trust.