Vietnam’s big dream at the Asian Cup ended with a quarterfinal loss to Japan on January 24, but the team as a whole and some players, in particular, have made the football world sit up and take note.

Vietnamese defender Doan Van Hau (L) and midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai.

Leading sports channel Fox Sports has picked five of the best U21 players at the tournament being played in the UAE. Two of these are from Vietnam.

The two spots have been taken by Vietnamese defender Doan Van Hau, 19 and midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai, 21.

Spearheading the Vietnamese team’s defensive line, Hau has "proved that he can run circles around some Asia’s best," Fox Sports noted, adding that his form in the five matches Vietnam played at the tournament had "proved vital" for the team.

Hai’s versatility, his ability to play wherever needed, stood out for Fox Sports experts.

"Hai has proved his maturity and showed at the Asian Cup that there are so many different facets to his game," they wrote, adding that he was a player to watch out for in the future.

Hai had already been voted the best player of the group stage. The amazing free kick he took against Yemen also received the highest number of votes on the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) website as the best goal of the group stage.

The other three players in the list are Iraq’s Mohanad Ali, 18, Qatar’s Tarek Salman, 21 and Bassam Al-Rawi, 21.

The first semifinal of the Asian Cup 2019 will be played Monday between Japan and Iran. Qatar and hosts UAE are the other semifinalists.

Asian Cup: Midfielder Quang Hai voted as best player of Group Stage

The Vietnamese attacking midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai has been voted by football fans worldwide as the best player of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Group Stage.

 

Asian Cup 2019: Quang Hai among 10 best performers

Fox Sports Asia football website has named Vietnamese midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai one of the 10 best performers from the opening round of matches at the AFC Asian Cup 2019.

 

FOX Sports Asia: Nguyen Quang Hai - hope of Vietnam

FOX Sports Asia devoted an article in its “Players to Watch” series for AFC Asian Cup 2019 to write about Nguyen Quang Hai, describing him as “the outstanding prospect carrying the hopes of Vietnam”.

 

Hanoi-based AC Milan football academy to debut this month

The AC Milan Football Academy is scheduled to make its debut later this month and begin its first course in September 2019.

 

Vietnamese football fan says it with flowers, thousands of them

A Hanoi football fan hired 15 gardeners to create a unique floral celebration and tribute to Vietnam's recent victories.

 

Source: VnExpress