Coach Park Hang-seo calls up two defenders for World Cup Qualifiers

Head coach Park Hang-seo decided to summon defenders Do Thanh Thinh and Pham Xuan Manh on September 23 to strengthen the Vietnamese national team’s squad for the upcoming matches in the final qualifying round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup for Asia and the AFF Suzuki Cup 2020.

Thanh Thinh (right) and Xuan Manh (left) have been summoned to the Vietnamese national team. (Photo: VFF)
Thanh Thinh (right) and Xuan Manh (left) have been summoned to the Vietnamese national team. (Photo: VFF)

Thanh Thinh and Xuan Manh were once familiar faces in previous gatherings of the Vietnamese national team and the U22 team. However, they have been absent for quite a long time in order to fully treat injuries.

Having the same ability to play well in both midfield and defender positions, the return of Thanh Thinh and Xuan Manh is considered helpful to Coach Park Hang-seo as it provides more choices in the context that the national squad has to strain on two fronts, the final qualifying round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup for Asia and the AFF Suzuki Cup 2020.

In addition to calling up two wing defenders, Coach Park Hang-seo has also created conditions for some outstanding players of the U22 team to join the training, such as defender Nguyen Thanh Binh or, more recently, Ly Cong Hoang Anh and Lieu Quang Vinh.

As planned, Thanh Thinh and Xuan Manh will be present in Hanoi on September 25. After being medically examined to ensure the safety requirements for disease prevention and control, the duo will participate in training with the national team.