" NEVER GIVE UP"
That is the message that coach Philippe Troussier repeated in the past training sessions. The Vietnamese team has been on a roller coaster of emotions, from the sublime moments against Japan to the pain after the defeat against Indonesia. Courage, professional quality and the ability to adapt to new circumstances are the "three legs of a tripod" that keep a team in the game. Coach Troussier's team has lost balance because it has not yet gathered all of the above factors, but only a little rare emotion created by the young players eager for their first time going to the "big sea".
Coach Troussier
The Vietnamese team ( left ) will not give up against Iraq.
When the emotions of one of the youngest teams in the tournament were suffocated by pressure and disappointment at the early exit, what did the Vietnamese team have left to compete with Iraq? In the context of the control style of play still being a vague concept that Coach Troussier's students could not yet define, let alone discuss how to play, the Vietnamese team had to revive their spirit. That was the source of the encouragement that the French strategist gave his students in recent days. Only with good spirit, regenerating aspirations and being ready to rush into battle with intact motivation would the Vietnamese team have a chance to withstand Iraq.
Because even though they are already guaranteed to be the group leaders, Iraq probably won't give up. Just look at how Qatar, despite being sure of being the top team, still dominated the Chinese team to see that strong teams will play their best in every match to create a stable psychological rhythm for the following rounds. In addition, winning to maintain their position on the FIFA rankings, and the desire to prove themselves of the reserve players who will be on the field in this match are the motivations that will push Iraq to play their best against the Vietnamese team.
On the other hand, Quang Hai and his teammates also have plenty of motivation to play with determination. That is the desire to leave the Asian Cup with a beautiful match, to regain their spirit for the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup, where the Vietnamese team will have 2 very important matches with Indonesia in March, then rematch Iraq. Besides, with many young players in the current Vietnamese squad, each match is a gift. Playing a fair match and accumulating experience against a strong team like Iraq is an opportunity for U.23 Vietnam to have more capital for the Asian finals in 3 months.
MR. T ROUSSIER 'S ADJUSTMENT
To improve the performance compared to the loss to Indonesia, or the defeat to Iraq 3 months ago, coach Troussier needs to make adjustments. First of all, in terms of personnel, the French strategist will welcome Dinh Bac back. The striker born in 2004 played very well against Japan in the role of a withdrawn striker. Facing a disciplined team like Iraq, the Vietnamese team needs a "spearhead" who dares to hold the ball and break through and run boldly like Dinh Bac. Hung Dung can return to reinforce the midfield with Tuan Anh and Thai Son. With a solid and rhythmic midfield, coach Troussier's students can maintain their fighting spirit, instead of being "swallowed" by the opponent in the midfield.
The Vietnamese team also needs to increase their ability to compete and collide. In the loss to Iraq 3 months ago, Tuan Anh and his teammates only won 40% of the challenges in the entire match. In terms of aerial balls alone, Vietnam's success rate was 32%. Endurance is a big problem, because according to statistics, in the last 15 to 20 minutes of this match, the Vietnamese team completely lost control because the players were exhausted and could not keep up with their opponents.
The Vietnamese team has practiced many exercises for the match against Iraq, including boxing-specific exercises to increase impact, train upper body muscles, and improve balance. Although these exercises are difficult to raise the physical strength and power of the Vietnamese team in just a few days, they show the determination and serious preparation of Coach Troussier and his team for the match against Iraq. All with the aim of leaving the Asian Cup with a beautiful farewell, to create motivation and confidence for the long journey that the Vietnamese team must continue.
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