European coach uses praise to describe the key player of Vietnam U23

Coach Popov commented on Văn Khang and Công Phương following the return of the Vietnam U23 duo from the Asian Championship, affirming fairness and confidence in the young talents.

After the match in the 12th round of the V-League, Coach Velizar Popov shared notable insights about two young faces of Vietnam U23 namely Khuất Văn Khang and Công Phương, who recently returned after achieving the bronze medal at the U23 Asian Championship.

The Bulgarian coach highlighted the significance of these two players in the long-term development plan of Thể Công Viettel. “Both of them are vital parts of the future. I also wanted to use both in today’s match,” Coach Popov shared. According to him, their success with Vietnam U23 is an important stepping stone that helps the young players gain more courage and confidence when returning to the V-League environment.

In fact, Khuất Văn Khang was given the chance to play by Coach Popov right in the second half. The 2003-born midfielder quickly made an impression with his dynamic playstyle, ability to control the tempo, and especially a sharp free kick that hit the crossbar of Hải Phòng’s goal. This performance partly demonstrated Văn Khang’s quick adaptation after returning from the continental stage.

Meanwhile, Công Phương did not get the chance to appear on the field in this match. Explaining this, Coach Popov said the final minutes were quite complicated, forcing him to prioritize safety in the gameplay. “In the last minutes, the situation on the pitch was quite complex, so there was no opportunity for Công Phương, but surely all players will have their chances,” he affirmed.

The strategist of Thể Công Viettel also emphasized the fair player selection philosophy he always pursues. “I always say there is fairness for everyone. Every player has an equal chance to enter the field, and sooner or later, it will happen,” Coach Popov stated.

When asked about the performances of Văn Khang and Công Phương at the U23 Asian Championship, Coach Popov was modest. “I don’t want to say too much about the team,” he shared, before expressing his personal feelings: “But personally, I feel very happy.”

Coach Popov’s statements clearly show his trust in the young players who just achieved success at the continental level, while also opening up expectations for more opportunities for Văn Khang and Công Phương in the upcoming journey of Thể Công Viettel.