‘King of throw-ins’ Arhan and his hands make the Vietnamese team research: Who are you?

The whole of Asia is a ‘victim’ of Arhan

After only 2 matches in AFF Cup 2024, Arhan directly contributed to 2 goals of the Indonesian team with throw-ins. In the match against the Myanmar team, his throw-in caused chaos for the opponent’s defense, creating conditions for Asnawi Mangkualam to successfully finish and score the only goal of the match. In the match against the Laos team, Arhan threw in so well that he was able to completely eliminate the Lao defense so that Ferrari only needed to lightly touch the ball to score.

Since the beginning of 2024, Arhan has contributed 4 goals for the Indonesian team from throw-in situations. In the third qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup, this left-back’s “victims” even include strong teams with tall defensive players such as Japan and China. When he was playing for Tokyo Verdy, a team playing in the J1 League, Arhan also had a throw-in that opened a goal.

Vietnamese football fans are also familiar with Arhan’s throw-ins. In the semi-finals of SEA Games 32 in Cambodia against the U.22 Vietnam team, this defender indirectly helped Marselino Ferdinan score. During the confrontation between the Indonesian and Vietnamese teams at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup, Arhan’s throw-in confused Vo Minh Trong, creating conditions for Egy Maulana to easily cushion the ball from close range.

The Vietnamese team needs to be cautious

When observed and analyzed carefully, the ball’s landing point after Arhan’s throw-in was mostly at the near corner. In such positions, the opposing defense is often confused in clearing the ball. At this time, if the goalkeeper and defenders cannot stop it, the ball will fly straight into the net. The second case is that the ball will bounce out but is still inside the penalty area or the edge of the penalty area and the Indonesian players immediately compete and kick back. Because the force from a throw-in will not be as strong as from a free kick, headers to clear the ball also do not have a strong reaction force, so the ball will be very difficult to fly away. That’s the discomfort of throw-ins.

Therefore, the Vietnamese team can research and arrange appropriate personnel to fight well in close quarters. At the same time, other players need to be ready to welcome second-ball situations to promptly prevent kickbacks from the Indonesian team.

Indeed, throw-ins are Arhan’s extremely powerful weapon. Before the match against the Indonesian team, midfielder Bui Tien Dung said that the Vietnamese team had a plan to limit the danger from these throw-ins. But in addition, we also need to analyze other strengths of this player. However, this player also has other strengths. He is inherently a quality left-back, with speed, technique and good climbing ability. When he has the ball in the opponent’s third of the field, he can launch quality crosses and crosses.

In the 2024 AFF Cup, coach Shin Tae-yong even boldly placed Arhan on the opposite wing at some times. When guarding the right line, Arhan tends to move into the middle to support his teammates in attacking, controlling the ball and the game. At this time, he plays as an inverted-wingback (roughly translated: inverted full-back). That is a similar use of personnel as coach Pep Guardiola let Joao Cancelo, a right-footed defender, play left back. This option has been highly effective and even raised the level of Cancelo.

In general, Arhan not only has dangerous throw-ins but also many other strengths that coach Kim Sang-sik and his team must be wary of.