The media, more recently, has been tagging exciting youth prospects as the ‘new Ronaldo’ or ‘new Kaka’ to draw readers’ attention. Coining the top national players as the ‘English Messi’ or, in this case, the ‘Vietnamese Messi’ engraves curiosity. Experts perceive these talents to have technical potential, the media grants them more coverage and, most importantly, the public enjoys the moments of brilliance that these players exhibit. This was the case of the ‘Vietnamese Messi’ Nguyen Quang Hai when he pulled off the sublime ‘Rainbow in the Snow’ in the 2018 AFC U-23 Asian Cup final. His talent was recognised, leading him to sign for Pau FC, a Ligue 2 team.
A fruitful 2018 and career breakthrough
The year 2018 was nothing but extraordinary for Quang Hai as well as the Vietnamese football. The U-23 national team fought hard to take second place at the 2018 AFC U-23 Asian Cup, the Vietnamese Olympic squad reached the semi-final of the 2018 ASIAD and the national team itself triumphed at the 2018 AFF Cup for the first time in a decade.
In the AFC U-23 Championship, that was in January 2018, Quang Hai scored five goals. In the opening fixture, he showcased his finesse with a long-range curved goal against South Korea. In the second group stage game, following a series of attempts by Vietnam, he decisively thumped in the only goal from outside the penalty box in the match against Australia.
Vietnam reached the knockouts following a goalless draw against Syria. In the semi-final, Quang Hai equalised twice. First by capitalising on a second of hesitation from the Qatari defenders and second through a showcase of quality. Smooth touch to receive the loose ball, a fake shot to eliminate the blockages and a magnificent curl to send the match to extra-time and, subsequently, penalties. In the final, the midfielder equalised just before the first half concluded with the freekick dubbed ‘Rainbow in the Snow’, one that rocked the city of Changzhou and still echoes around Vietnam to this day.
Running from mid-August to the first day of September, the Vietnamese Olympic football squad had an even better run in the group stage. Despite being drawn with Japan, Pakistan and Nepal, Vietnam topped the group with three wins. Quang Hai opened the scoring to inspire a 3-0 win against Pakistan and scored the only goal to give Vietnam the win against Japan. In the knockout stages, Vietnam beat Bahrain and Syria before falling to South Korea in the semi-final. As the tournament concluded, Quang Hai was named as the Team of the Tournament alongside two of his teammates.
Quang Hai’s final action of the year in the national team’s colours was at the 2018 AFF Cup. He scored against Laos, Cambodia and the Philippines to help Vietnam achieve an invincible campaign and the title. The attacking midfielder was given the title, this time, not only to the Team of the Tournament but also the Most Valuable Player.
In the domestic league that year, Quang Hai played 24 out of 26 possible matches for Hanoi FC and scored nine goals, admirable number for an attacking midfielder. His team went on to secure the title and Hai was in the Team of the Season. Throughout 2018, Quang Hai had 57 appearances, totalling an astounding 4,414 minutes.
Quang caliber, delicacy and what he offers Pau FC
French males have an average height of 1,78m and an average weight of 82,6kg but an average Vietnamese male is 1,68m tall and weighs 61.2kg, according to studies. While there might be different parameters between the general population and professional athletes, there can be grounds to believe in the differences in the physicality of Vietnamese versus French players. In Quang Hai’s case, despite his modest yet average height of 1,68m (roughly 5’5”), he weighs around 65 kgs. This would compensate for not being physically imposing but being physically tough.
At Hanoi FC, he played as the left-sided midfielder in a 4-3-3 formation. This allowed him room to create and finesse his skills. With head coach Didier Tholot’s preference for a 4-2-3-1, the “Vietnamese Messi” may fit in as a number 10 behind the striker. However, the contract renewal of Steeve Beusnard, a predominant number 10 in Tholot’s set-up, will be a competition to Quang Hai.
Like the football legend, Quang Hai also possesses prodigious technical and mental skills. Ibou Kebe, Quang Hai’s former teammate, complimented him on his ball control, decision-making and versatility. All these traits were a testimony in the goals he scored for the national team in 2018. His ability to bend the ball with his left foot and his dribbling skills will pose intriguing fluidity to Pau FC’s attack for the upcoming seasons.
The effects that Quang Hai brings to Pau FC expand into an incremental part of our lives: social media. Much like the previous case of STVV, Pau FC’s social media retained a massive influx of traffic since the signing of the ‘Vietnamese Messi’, as Vietnamese people follow and support the actions of their beloved player in Europe. This would help the team gain a potential foothold in the market and vastly increase their commercial capabilities.
Arriving in France very early in the pre-season, Quang Hai will have ample time to settle in and prove himself worthy of a spot come the regular Ligue 2 season.
Lionel Messi’s agent refutes claims of Inter Miami stake purchase and a potential move
LAFC 2 – 1 Seattle Sounders – Bale and Chiellini Win on Home Debut for the Black and Gold
Summer 2022: A summer of the overhaul for Tottenham that should send fans, and opposition frenetic
How Man City could line up Erling Haaland and Kalvin Phillips with their current squad
An active transfer window to fire Sparta Rotterdam up on the Eredivisie table
Barcelona have made a significant stride forward with the signing of Jules Kounde
Chelsea Eyeing Villareal defender Pau Torres for a £50m Move: Good choice for Tuchel?
From Haaland’s double score to Ten Hag’s debut defeat- Here’s all from the first week of Premier League
Alex Telles ‘didn’t think twice’ before leaving Man United and joining Sevilla FC
Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid join race for RB Salzburg’s Benjamin Sesko
Nottingham Forest’s promotion, Arsenal’s win, Aston Villa’s defeat- all from the first week of Premier League
Sevilla fc winger Oussama Idrissi returns to dutch league for another season
Manchester City, Arsenal, and Aston Villa win big in the second week of the Premier League
From Fulham’s win to Tuchel and Conte’s public feud- all the drama from the second week of Premier League 2022
Grand Prix Badminton League 2022: Sharks & Bulls score thrilling wins, face-off with Wolves & Falcons confirmed
How is SL Benfica Academy so successful at producing and developing young talent
Why Brandon Vázquez should be in the USMNT squad for the World Cup in Qatar this winter
Sebastian Driussi, the striker who lifted Austin FC to unthinkable heights
Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City- big names that disappointed in the third week of the Premier League
Spurs, Crystal Palace, and Fulham win big in the third week of the Premier League
Real Salt Lake breaking new ground with their purchase of 18-year-old USYNT playmaker Diego Luna
LAFC midfielder José Cifuentes: Transfer target for Premier League's Brighton
Haaland scores a hat-trick; Liverpool thrash Bournemouth 9-0: All from the fourth week of Premier League
Punk-Moxley set for a rematch to claim AEW World Championship: AEW Dynamite Recap
Chelsea, Crystal Palace, and Aston Villa fail to impress in the fourth week of the Premier League
Anthony Gordon: Merseyside’s latest boy wonder on the verge of a breakthrough
City Win Big, Liverpool Squeak Through And Arsenal Win Again In Match Week Five Of The Premier League
Jesus Ferreira-Alan Velasco-Paul Arriola: Best attacking trio in the MLS?
DP Asia Cup 2022 Review- Pakistan vs Hong Kong: Pak wins big against Hong Kong
Manchester United, Chelsea, and Brentford win in the sixth week of the Premier League
Arsenal, Fulham, Leicester, and Southampton fail to impress in the sixth week of the Premier League
Carlos Alcaraz becomes the youngest US Open Champion after defeating Casper Ruud in the finale
Denis Bouanga: Will LAFC’s latest acquisition solidify the MLS Cup title for the team?
Aaron Hickey: The Golden Boy Nominee Ready To Light Up The Premier League
Brennan Johnson: The next superstar striker with the potential to play for big clubs
EPL Review: Haaland at it again, A sigh of relief for Gerrard, and Chaos at the City Ground
Comments