Transitional period
The year 2023 marks a transition milestone for the Vietnamese team, when coach Philippe Troussier takes over the head coach position from his predecessor Park Hang-seo.
The Vietnamese team has gone through a cycle of great success with the AFF Cup 2018 championship, a spot in the third qualifying round of the 2022 World Cup and a double gold medal at SEA Games 30 and 31. However, they failed against strong teams. In the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, it was shown that the team then led by coach Park Hang-seo had reached the threshold.
To break through to a higher level, specifically to win tickets to the World Cup, the Vietnamese team needs a new philosophy, new ways of operating and new people.
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The Vietnamese team is entering a transition period
Coach Troussier came and brought with him a philosophy of control, with a clearer tendency to attack. The French strategist shared: “In the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, the team played 10 matches and lost 8 matches. Let’s be realistic about the reality of Vietnamese football! That’s why we work hard every day , to shorten the level gap with the top football countries on the continent. We are not just talking or dreaming, but are making efforts so that when entering the match, the Vietnamese team can face all difficulties. towel.
The Vietnamese team may be weak, but we work hard to narrow the level gap. We have a generation full of potential. In the current team, the young players and key players are conveyed positive messages to believe in the playing style chosen by the coaching staff, as well as a more proactive approach at each moment. Fans need to understand that we cannot win everything, but from bad matches, the whole team will have lessons so that one day, the Vietnamese team can achieve its set goals.”
To make the transition process go smoothly and not derail the World Cup goal, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) has thoroughly reformed in the past 9 months. The Vietnamese team has played 3 friendly matches from June until now (against Hong Kong, Syria, Palestine) and competed against 3 more strong teams in October (China, Uzbekistan, South Korea).
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Coach Troussier believes in the current generation of Vietnamese football
With 6 friendly matches in 5 months against top teams, the Vietnamese team will have good momentum in preparing for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. In addition, playing against many strong teams helps coach Troussier thoroughly evaluate his learning ability. game, testing the new attacking philosophy.
Keeping up with the intensity of play at the highest level is also a necessary condition for Mr. Troussier’s team to not be “overwhelmed” by difficult matches.
Take care of the next generation
During the October training session, it was easy to see that the Vietnamese team was building two classes of players in parallel. The class born in 1993 to 1999 with Van Lam, Ngoc Hai, Duy Manh, Hung Dung, Hoang Duc, Tuan Hai, Tien Linh, Viet Anh,… will still play the leading role for at least the next 1 to 2 years.
However, the next class (born after 2000) made the team in this convocation with 15 names covering all 3 routes. This is the generation that will take charge of coach Troussier’s team for the next 3 to 5 years, depending on the level of maturity and development of each player.
The Vietnamese team is a blend of experience and youth. When the seniors both play the pivotal role and guide the juniors, the younger generation will take advantage of learning and accumulating to be ready for the next time while creating a competitive “push” for the seniors to strive. more force.
Previously, VFF established two U.23 teams for separate tasks, of which one team attended SEA Games 32 and the 2024 U.23 Asian qualifiers, the second team attended the U.23 Southeast Asia tournament. 2023 and ASIAD 19.
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The youth of the Vietnamese team improve with each match
Specifically, the U.23 Vietnam team participating in SEA Games 32 and the 2024 Asian U.23 qualifiers includes the best players in the U.23 age group of Vietnamese football. This team gathers at the same time as the national team during official competitions and friendly matches according to FIFA regulations.
The excellent elements in this U.23 team were selected to be added to the Vietnamese team, which this gathering with 14 U.23 names is proof.
Meanwhile, the Vietnam U.23 team participating in the 2023 Southeast Asia U.23 tournament and ASIAD 19 is a collection of core players mostly from the U.20 age group combined with some U23 players.
This decision not only ensures a good force for the main goals, but also helps create experience accumulation and continuously improve qualifications for young U20 players in the international arena, towards long-term goals. while not affecting the domestic competition organization system.
This group of players will be the factors preparing for the 33rd SEA Games campaign and the 2026 Asian U.23 qualifying round taking place in 2025.
Building a young force is a long-term journey, the risk is at the expense of achievements, and the effectiveness cannot be seen immediately. But this is the right choice for Vietnamese football to overcome the transition period, starting a new cycle of success.