2023 marks an important turning point for Vietnamese professional football. For the first time in more than 20 years, V.League 1 and V.League 2 will open two seasons in the same calendar year. This change has many meanings, not only for the clubs.
Requirements of development
A few months ago, when V.League 2023 had only been 4 rounds, the tournament was suspended for nearly 49 days to create conditions for... the youth team to compete. This caused a lot of controversy and was not the first time it happened in Vietnamese football. The National Championship system had to "sacrifice" to serve the interests of the team.
V.League often had to "sacrifice" for the national team in previous years. (Photo: VFF)
However, as Vietnamese football aims to reach the continent and gradually integrate with world standards, the above priorities need to change. When the Vietnamese team sets foot in major tournaments such as the Asian Cup or goes further in the World Cup qualifiers, the entire football system must also change the way it operates.
The long training sessions of the Vietnamese national team can bring advantages in certain tournaments. However, when the national team competes throughout the year according to the FIFA calendar, the "tearing up" of tournaments by domestic clubs brings many disadvantages.
The long postponement of the tournament has clearly affected the rhythm of the clubs' matches. In fact, the national team's strength is not limited to the 30 players in each announced list but consists of hundreds of players from the clubs.
When coach Philippe Troussier took over the Vietnam national team, the French coach emphasized the continuity and integrity of the professional league system. That is the true foundation of a national team.
The change is in line with the development requirements of football. In addition, this is also a step in sync with the trend of the continent. After some member federations took the lead, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) began to move the season to the same schedule as European football.
Efforts to change
The change comes from the needs of the clubs themselves, to ensure the interests of each team in the professional system. Therefore, this is a shift that both VPF, VFF and the clubs have consensus and strive towards the common goal.
V.League 2023/24 kicks off just 2 months after the previous season ends. (Photo: Kim Chi)
It is not easy to do that within a year while ensuring that the system operates without losses. Clubs also only have about 2 months after the end of the 2023 season to prepare for the 2023/2024 season. They have to solve problems related to finance, personnel, training and competition plans...
“There is no transition without challenges. VPF and the clubs all have to face many issues that need to be resolved in the pivotal stage before officially changing the tournament schedule,” said VPF General Director Nguyen Minh Ngoc.
"The plan was implemented smoothly when receiving high consensus from the clubs participating in the tournament. The clubs all recognized this as a right direction, in line with the long-term development orientation. Therefore, the historic 2023/24 season has just begun in an exciting, vibrant, highly competitive way, opening up many new hopes for the development of future tournaments."
Of course, as the V.League breaks are shorter, the time for the national team to train in each training session is reduced. In the context of the Vietnamese team being in a transitional phase, this may bring a slight disadvantage in the short term.
However, for coach Philippe Troussier, it is also very important that the players maintain their playing rhythm at the club. V.League is where they can show their ability and prove their form the most.
Minh Anh
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