HAGL says goodbye to another pillar
Just like the summer before the 2023 - 2024 season, HAGL is witnessing a series of farewells of key players.
The last elements of the HAGL JMG generation and the first generation of talented players Minh Vuong and Van Son have come to Binh Phuoc Club. Quang Nho, Bao Toan and Ngoc Quang have arrived at Ninh Binh Club. Even the new pillars of last season, central defender Ly Duc, left HAGL after only 1 year with the first team to join the "promised land" Hanoi Police Club (CAHN Club). Young talents that were just introduced by HAGL, such as Quang Vinh (defender Quang Nho's younger brother), Di Dan... also left to play for Ninh Binh Club.
Center back Ly Duc says goodbye to HAGL
PHOTO: DONG NGUYEN KHANG
The loss of many key players and young players to V-League rivals signals a difficult season for HAGL. In the past 10 years, when they had full strength, HAGL was caught up in a fierce relegation race. Yet now, the squad under coach Le Quang Trai cannot compare to previous seasons. With a limited budget, HAGL cannot spend money to buy high-class domestic or foreign players. HAGL's only support at the moment is the "homegrown" talents, who were trained at the mountain town team's football academy.
Prospects of Trung Kien and Quang Kiet
Faces who have been associated with the HAGL youth system for a long time, such as goalkeeper Trung Kien or center-back Quang Kiet, will play important roles in V-League 2025 - 2026.
Goalkeeper Trung Kien has just won the 2025 Southeast Asian U.23 Championship with U.23 Vietnam with convincing performance. Trung Kien was "spotted" by coach Kim Sang-sik since the last training session in 2024. He was promoted to the Vietnam national team to practice with high-class seniors such as Nguyen Filip, Dinh Trieu... under the guidance of goalkeeper coach Lee Woon-jae (legendary goalkeeper of the Korean national team).
Trung Kien progressed quickly
PHOTO: DONG NGUYEN KHANG
Being given the opportunity to play regularly in the V-League by HAGL (24 matches last season) also helped the goalkeeper born in 2003 to progress rapidly. His height of 1.91 m, long arm span, good control of the penalty area, impressive entry and exit, and importantly, composure are helping Trung Kien become the most promising young goalkeeper today.
This season, HAGL's difficulties may unintentionally become a springboard for Trung Kien to prove his mettle. To be "planned" for the long term in the national team and U.23, Trung Kien needs to show stable performance in the V-League. Coach Le Quang Trai's trust and HAGL's philosophy of using young players will help the 1.91 m tall goalkeeper have a promising future.
Center-back Quang Kiet is among the group of 5 young talents promoted from HAGL Academy by technical director Vu Tien Thanh in the second leg of last season. At the age of 18, Quang Kiet is the youngest player... at HAGL (only older than Gia Bao, a 17-year-old striker), but he has managed to play 9 matches for HAGL in V-League 2024 - 2025.
Center back Quang Kiet was given the opportunity to try his hand at U.23 Vietnam.
PHOTO: DONG NGUYEN KHANG
Quang Kiet has an impressive physique (1.95 m tall) and is known as the "pole" that helps the mountain town team defend against high balls more effectively. Although his football skills are still lacking, and he handles many of his moves quite clumsily, Quang Kiet still has a lot of time to improve his playing style.
Because he is still very young, it is difficult for Quang Kiet to break through after only 1 or 2 years like Ly Duc. But for young players, playing regularly is a valuable asset. When Ly Duc leaves HAGL, Quang Kiet has the opportunity to take the starting position in the V-League next season. Being able to play regularly, playing under HAGL's philosophy of prioritizing defense and discipline can create a "runway" for Quang Kiet to take off.
In addition to Quang Kiet and Trung Kien, HAGL will look to the younger generation like Hoang Minh, Moi Se, Gia Bao... to refresh their playing style and morale. Currently, coach Le Quang Trai and his team are training at HAGL to prepare for V-League 2025 - 2026.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/cho-nhung-cay-sao-19-m-cheo-chong-hagl-vuot-kho-ov-league-185250801080237799.htm
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