The former Hanoi FC defender has officially joined his new Heerenveen teammates in Abe Lenstra stadium. Van Hau ripe for the left-back position. Coach Johnny Jansen has only one left back player, Lucas Woundenberg, who used to play for U21 Netherlands.

Lucas, highly rated for his height and strength, is a mainstay of the left wing with good attacking ability, but coach Le Thuy Hai believes Van Hau has a slot at the starting lineup, because he has proved his ability over the past two years.

“I have been watching Van Hau since he was with the youth teams. Vietnam doesn’t have many wingers like him. It will be good for Van Hau to develop his career with Heerenveen.”

“I think Van Hau can compete for a starting slot. He is a tall young boy, who possesses skillful technique and a good tactical mindset. Van Hau played on the youth team and the national team so he has more experience in the international tournaments than other Vietnamese players,” said Le Thuy Hai.

“The Dutch league is more challenging than the K-League, the J-League and others. I knew Heerenveen had been scouting Van Hau for a long time. Van Hau just needs to compete with 1 or 2 players, while Cong Phuong, who is with Belgium’s Sint-Truidense, has to compete with about 10 players, so Cong Phuong’s substitution is understandable.”

“Van Hau is very young, so he has the potential to grow.” coach Le Thuy Hai told Vietnamnet.

Van Hau will participate in a team building activity today with his new club. The 20-year old defender will have about two training sessions before SC Heerenveen hosts Utrecht on Sunday, September 22.