Manh ranks as SEAsian top 10 midfielder

Do Duy Manh is listed as one of top 10 best Southeast Asian midfielders by fourfourtwo website. — File Photo

HA NOI (VNS) — Do Duy Manh is the only player of Viet Nam listed in the Southeast Asian top 10 midfielders of 2015 by popular football website fourfourtwo.com.

The 19-year-old is said not be the most technically gifted midfielder, but his excellent reading of the game and ability to dictate play more than compensates for his few weaknesses to date. The star’s perfectly-timed challenges and ball recoveries have been important factors in pushing his Ha Noi T&T club to finish V-League runners-up.

At his best, positioned right in front of the back four, his startlingly mature displays there have belied his tender age. More than capable of holding his own against Viet Nam’s best, Manh has quickly became an integral player of Ha Noi, featuring in 22 games and even managing to chip in with two goals.

At the international level, Manh earned plenty of plaudits when he led his side to a bronze medal in the 2015 Southeast Asian Games in Singapore. He has also booked his ticket to the final round of the AFC U23 Championship, to be held in Qatar next year.

Manh has featured heavily in Viet Nam’s 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign, starting important games against continental powerhouse Iraq and regional rivals Thailand.

He won the Best V.League 1’s Young Player title and is one of three players nominated for the national Best Midfielder of the Year award in 2015.

Nine other players in the list come from Thailand (four), Singapore (one), Indonesia (one), Malaysia (one), and Australia (two). — VNS

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