What's Behind Hai Long's Nickname "The Long-Range Cannon"?

The long-range strikes that define Hai Long

Hai Long's ability to finish from distance was noticed early, especially during his time at Than Quang Ninh FC. In 2020, just as he was becoming more widely known on the professional stage, he made his mark with a shot from more than 20 meters against Nam Dinh. Not long after, the young midfielder scored again from around 30 meters in the National Cup semi-final against Viettel.

In these moments, what stands out is not only the distance of the shot. For a midfielder, choosing to shoot from outside the box means making a very quick decision. If the space is not wide enough, the player may be closed down or lose the ball. Conversely, if he hesitates, the chance to shoot can vanish within seconds.

Hai Long's goals show that he is ready to take advantage of such spaces. Rather than needing to carry the ball into the penalty area to create danger, he can finish from the second line, particularly when the opposing defense is packed in front of goal.

This is also why long-range shots have become the "weapon" that defines Hai Long. He is a midfielder who can help build play, move to receive the ball and connect the lines. Sometimes, with just one touch, a gap in front of the penalty area can become the moment for Hai Long to make the difference with a powerful strike.

If his goals for Than Quang Ninh made fans begin to notice this ability, the moment in the 2024 ASEAN Cup final took it to a new level.

In the 2024 ASEAN Cup final, Hai Long scored against Thailand from more than 30 meters in stoppage time, helping seal a 3-2 victory for the Vietnam national team. Shots like that require a certain level of confidence. But more importantly, they require a sense of timing. When the ball came to his feet and space opened up in front of him, Hai Long decisively chose to shoot instead of continuing to look for another passing option.

Nguyen Hai Long with nicknamed “The Long-Range Cannon."

Noutstanding in physique, Hai Long makes his mark through resilience

Standing at around 1.68 m, Hai Long is not a midfielder with a clear physical advantage. In top-level football, this can be a disadvantage in direct duels or aerial challenges.

However, Hai Long's journey shows that a player does not need every advantage to leave his mark. Instead, he focuses on developing the strengths that suit his style of play, from his energy and ball control to his movement and decisive finishing. Over time, these qualities have been refined and have become a distinctive part of how Hai Long plays.

This is all the more remarkable when looking back at his path to professional football. He was once forced to leave the Viettel academy at the age of 15 because of physical limitations. He then continued his journey at Than Quang Ninh, where he step by step proved himself through impressive performances. Those efforts opened up a new step forward, taking him to Hanoi FC and then to the opportunity to wear the national team shirt.

Every goal from outside the box not only gives fans an explosive moment but also marks a step forward in Hai Long's journey of proving himself.

Hai Long and the Vietnamese spirit of "Rising Beyond Limits"

Looking at it from a broader perspective, "the Long-Range Cannon" is more than just a name tied to Hai Long's finishing skill. It also reflects, to some extent, the journey of a player who constantly seeks to rise and break through his own limits.

From the 20-meter-plus strikes early in his career to the roughly 30-meter goal in the 2024 ASEAN Cup final, long-range shots have become part of Hai Long's memorable milestones. Yet behind those moments lies the journey of a player who has no physical advantage and who faced countless obstacles along the path of his development. Never resting on his success, Hai Long has gradually established himself and risen to the biggest stages of Vietnamese football.

Nguyen Hai Long and Kosmen share the same spirit of “Rising Beyond Limits.”

That is also where Hai Long's story meets Kosmen's. They are two journeys in two different fields, yet both move toward the same spirit of "Rising Beyond Limits": not stopping at existing boundaries, but developing one's own strengths to go further.

And just like those shots from outside the box, Hai Long's journey of overcoming limits shows that difference sometimes begins with the courage to step beyond one's existing boundaries. For Kosmen, this is also the spirit it pursues and spreads: not fearing challenges, not stopping at existing limits, and always striving to create distinctive value.

The partnership between Kosmen and player Nguyễn Hai Long marks a promising new chapter. Through this collaboration, Kosmen and its Ambassador share the goal of bringing the most modern, sustainable and convenient living value to Vietnamese people.

Let us look forward to the breakthrough steps Kosmen and player Nguyễn Hai Long will take in the time ahead!

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