Thanh Long impresses Coach Kim Sang Sik ahead of Vietnam national team roster announcement

In a match considered an "early final" in the V-League championship race, Le Pham Thanh Long became the focal point with a stunning long-range shot that helped Hanoi Police (CAHN) defeat Ninh Binh. That goal could also be the "ticket" helping the 30-year-old midfielder strongly impress Coach Kim Sang Sik ahead of the upcoming Vietnam national team training camp.

In the 63rd minute of the match at Hoa Lu Stadium, while the game was tightly contested, Thanh Long received the ball quite far from the goal.

Notably, the host's midfield, featuring highly-rated players like Nguyen Hoang Duc and Nguyen Duc Chien, failed to close down quickly.

That gap was enough for CAHN's midfielder to comfortably unleash an extremely dangerous long-range shot. The ball traveled swiftly and unpredictably, causing goalkeeper Van Lam, despite a good reflex, to fail to save it.

That moment deeply reflected the mark of a player who always plays a quiet role at CAHN. Over many years, Thanh Long has rarely been mentioned as a "star" of the V-League. He is not the type of midfielder who frequently scores or creates highlights for the club. In fact, the 1996-born midfielder has never scored more than three goals for his club in about a decade of top-level play. But Thanh Long's value has never been about statistical numbers.

With modest height, the former player developed from Hoang Anh Gia Lai does not stand out physically, but possesses tactical intelligence and smart game-reading ability. Thanh Long is the diligent defensive midfielder type, ready to contest, recover the ball, and provide the foundation for attacking stars to shine.

In the victory over Ninh Binh, that role was very clear. While Nguyen Quang Hai operated flexibly up front, Thanh Long quietly managed the midfield area. The mobility of Thanh Long and Quang Hai caused the host team's expected midfield duo, Hoang Duc – Duc Chien, to be overshadowed for most of the match.

This is also why coaches always highly value Thanh Long. Under former coach Philippe Troussier, this midfielder was given multiple opportunities in the national team due to his disciplined play and tactical understanding. And with current coach Kim Sang Sik, an experienced "sweeper" type midfielder like Thanh Long becomes even more essential.

Modern football demands a midfield not only with creative players but also "cleaners" willing to sacrifice for the collective. Thanh Long is precisely such a player, always being a crucial link in the tactical system.

The victory over Ninh Binh further demonstrates this midfielder's influence. With the three points earned at Hoa Lu Stadium, CAHN continues to solidify its top position and widen the gap with rivals to 10 points, despite still having one match unplayed.

In the context of key striker Alan Grafite suffering an early injury, the brilliance of domestic players like Thanh Long becomes even more valuable.

At 30, Thanh Long is no longer a young talent waiting for opportunities. He has entered the most mature phase of his career. This midfielder possesses sufficient experience, composure, and calmness. Such players are always reliable choices in major tournaments, where experience sometimes decides success or failure.

The Vietnam national team training camp is approaching, and with his current form, Thanh Long could be Coach Kim Sang Sik's official selection.

If the stars of Ninh Binh fail to make a timely impact again, Thanh Long could be the optimal choice for the current Vietnam national team midfield. That long-range shot scoring against Ninh Binh might be the strongest affirmation of his value.