The special relationship between coach Popov and midfielder Huu Thang

On the evening of May 2, The Cong Viettel Club gave coach Velizar Popov a magnificent debut gift when they won 6-0 against the visiting team Da Nang. More complete than the victory was the impressive performance of many players, including midfielder Nguyen Huu Thang.

The player born in 2000 was the author of the opening goal, when he controlled the ball neatly in the penalty area, shielded it and then powerfully shot into the visitors' net in the 13th minute. Huu Thang continued to put his mark on the goal, raising the score to 3-0 with a beautiful long-range shot from close to the penalty area. The player wearing the number 8 shirt could have even ended the first half with a hat-trick, when his daring shot from midfield was very close to the Da Nang net.

PHOTO: MINH TU

"I have been paying attention to Huu Thang since 2019, when U.23 Vietnam and U.23 Myanmar both participated in the Southeast Asian tournament," Coach Popov told Thanh Nien Newspaper when asked about his interest in his special student. The tournament that Coach Popov mentioned was the 2019 Southeast Asian U.23 tournament, where Huu Thang played 4 matches (2 as a starter), with a total time of 165 minutes in the U.23 Vietnam jersey, while Mr. Popov was in charge of U.23 Myanmar at that time.

Although Huu Thang was not included in the official list to play in SEA Games 30 (December 2019) when he was among the last 6 players eliminated, this was still a step forward for the player born in 2000. In just 3 years (from 2016 to 2019), Huu Thang played for U.16, U.19 and U.23 Vietnam.

The midfielder born in 2000 is highly appreciated by many coaches such as Nguyen Duc Thang, Vu Hong Viet or Dinh The Nam. Anyone who has worked with him is impressed by the small but energetic midfielder, with an extremely skillful and "strange" left foot, and a rare tactical vision.

Unfortunately, physical and fitness limitations, combined with injuries, have prevented Huu Thang from playing at The Cong Viettel. Before this season, Huu Thang had only started 21 matches in 4 years for the army team in the V-League.

However, Huu Thang's potential still impressed Coach Popov. He once confided that The Cong Viettel had a "treasure", but could not fully exploit its potential. When taking over Thanh Hoa Club in 2023, Coach Popov connected with Huu Thang. He expressed his desire to bring him to Thanh Hoa team, but hesitated because he knew The Cong Viettel would not let him go.

PHOTO: MINH TU

For 3 years, Coach Popov has never stopped thinking about recruiting Huu Thang. He even tried to convince the midfielder from Hue to go to Thanh Hoa on loan. The Bulgarian coach has his own plan to develop the 25-year-old player.

And then, fate did not bring Huu Thang to Thanh Hoa Club, but brought Popov to The Cong Viettel. Right in the debut match, he put Huu Thang in the starting lineup and his student responded with a 10-point performance.

Viettel The Cong not only has Huu Thang...

"Look at their potential. Football is a team sport, and The Cong Viettel has many good players. The way this team scored 5 goals in the first half proved that...", Coach Popov responded to Thanh Nien Newspaper's question about the prospects of the army team.

For a coach like Popov who likes to discover "rough gems" to polish, The Cong Viettel is the perfect environment. The army team owns the most systematic and strong youth team in the country, modern facilities, and a philosophy that runs through all the youth teams.

PHOTO: MINH TU

In the hands of coach Popov is the promising 1998 - 2000 generation, with many players who have worn and are wearing the national team jersey such as Nguyen Thanh Binh, Truong Tien Anh, Nguyen Duc Chien, Khuat Van Khang, Phan Tuan Tai, Nham Manh Dung... Not to mention, the next generation (born from 2003 to 2006) also has talents worth watching such as Nguyen Manh Hung, Nguyen Cong Phuong, Nguyen Dang Duong or Dang Tuan Phong.

The common point of most of The Cong Viettel players is the discipline, diligence and dedication that are trained from the youth and inherited from the first team. These are the qualities that Coach Popov really needs to build a playing style that requires a lot of energy and perseverance like pressing. In the match against Da Nang Club on the evening of May 2, even though The Cong Viettel was leading by 3 goals, Coach Popov still shouted and urged his students to run, run and run continuously.

In response, Huu Thang and his teammates defeated their opponents with formidable attacks, not slowing down even though they were leading.

A team to look forward to is taking shape!