Quang Hải seeks to regain his status in the Vietnam national team

Quang Hải is confronted with an unwelcome trial: he has to fight for his spot in the national team's starting eleven. From the Thường Châu hero and 2018 Vietnamese Golden Ball recipient, Quang Hải must now acknowledge that his role is no longer guaranteed.

This is not a denial of what Quang Hảihas achieved. On the contrary, his past class and contributions have raised fans' expectations even higher.

Quang Hải once boldly moved to France seeking opportunities, then returned to Vietnam in 2023 to play for CLB Công an Hà Nội.

Quang Hải contributed to his team winning the V-League for the second time last season and was awarded the title of Best Player of the tournament.

But even with another prestigious individual accolade, Quang Hải has not fully convinced everyone that he has returned to his best form.

The issue lies in his playing intensity and ability to create breakthroughs.Quang Hảistill possesses vision, technique, and passing ability that few Vietnamese players have. However, his speed, acceleration, and ability to produce decisive moments are no longer as frequent as before. This was especially evident at the ASEAN Cup 2026.

After the disappointing draw against Singapore, the formula that coach Kim Sang Sikchose for the matches against Indonesia and Cambodia showed a notable change. In the two wins—3-0 against Indonesia and 3-1 against Cambodia—Thành Long and Hoàng Đức directly orchestrated the assists for all six of Vietnam's goals. That statistic is not only impressive on paper but also reflects the duo's role in the current system.

Quang Hải is therefore put in a difficult position. If both Hoàng Đức and Quang Hải are used in the center, Vietnam risks lacking a dedicated defensive midfielder. Both players excel at creativity, passing, and organization, but they are not the type of midfielders who can constantly press, tackle, and recover the ball like Thành Long.

Coach Kim Sang Sik saw this after the Singapore draw. His preference for Thành Long and Hoàng Đức in subsequent important matches is not an injustice to Quang Hải but simply the most suitable choice given tactical requirements.

Unfortunately for Quang Hải, the left-wing forward position, where he once played his best for the national team, now has too many options. Đình Bắc is on fire with five goals in the group stage. Hoàng Hên and Tài Lộc each offer different alternatives.

Coach Kim Sang Sik is forced to find a new position for Quang Hải if he wants to exploit the captain's experience and class. But Quang Hải still has time to turn the situation around. What Quang Hải can use to make a comeback is his experience, game-reading ability, technique, and the moments that once made him a symbol of Vietnamese football.

Even the fact that he recently surpassed Lê Công Vinh to become the most-capped player in Vietnam national team history with 84 appearances further highlights Quang Hải's special status. But that record also comes with greater responsibility.

Quang Hải needs to prove that he is not just a star of the past. In the match against Cambodia, he had a one-on-one opportunity with the goalkeeper but failed to convert. Such moments only increase fans' doubts about his current form. However, one match cannot determine the value of a player who has contributed so much to the national team.

Perhaps the most important thing now is for Quang Hải to accept this new competition and be willing to sacrifice for the team. If coach Kim Sang Sik needs Thành Long and Hoàng Đức to ensure balance, Quang Hải must find a way to become a game-changer from the bench or at appropriate tactical moments.

If given a starting opportunity, he needs to prove that he can still change the course of the match.