Want change must trade off

Young people need land to express themselves.

"When players are young, you don't give them a chance to play. When they turn 22 or 23, how can they have a chance to break through?", said a coach who once took Vietnamese youth football to the World Cup. He also encouraged Vietnamese teams to use young players more, so that they have more opportunities and playgrounds to demonstrate their professional abilities.

The Vietnamese team under coach Troussier has a mix of experienced players and young players with future orientation.

The above sharing is probably true and reasonable at the present time with what Coach Troussier has been building, finding the right direction for Vietnamese football. At the time of sitting in the hot seat of the Vietnamese national team, the stars under Coach Park Hang-seo were still at their peak. If using that entire framework for the past 6 friendly matches and 1 official match in the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup in Asia, the "white wizard" would not have had to face much pressure in the past 8 months. However, the French captain wants to choose his own path, so it is not surprising that he created a revolution in personnel step by step in a "slow but sure" style. Some names that were almost certain to be in the team under Mr. Park such as Cong Phuong, Thanh Chung or Tan Tai gradually fell into oblivion. And then the "rising stars" such as Thai Son, Dinh Bac or Van Cuong gradually emerged from the darkness.

Young people gradually grow up

Eight months ago, when Thai Son was named in the first meeting of the Vietnamese national team under coach Troussier, many questions were raised about the expertise of the midfielder from Thanh Hoa Club. But after eight months, the midfielder born in 2003 has won the trust of Mr. Troussier. Thai Son has more or less affirmed his value and at this rate in the future he will be the master of the midfield of the Vietnamese national team.

Van Toan, Tuan Anh - the senior generation in the Vietnam national team

Thai Son (middle) gradually asserted his talent.

Besides Thai Son, young teammates like left back Minh Trong or striker Dinh Bac also gradually affirmed their own value when they were given opportunities, played and trained professionally alongside quality veterans, such as Thai Son playing with Tuan Anh, Minh Trong with Tuan Tai or Dinh Bac being coached by Van Quyet or Van Toan.

In the past 8 months, Coach Troussier has had to make many sacrifices due to the pressure from fans as well as experts. But if he did not dare to make sacrifices, how could Vietnamese football now have "new stars" like Thai Son, Van Cuong or Minh Trong playing more and more confidently and stably alongside the seniors who have been trained through many big and small tournaments.

Time is the answer

The Vietnamese team has only had one victory in an official tournament under coach Troussier. Young talents like Thai Son, Van Cuong or Minh Trong are also in the process of perfecting themselves before becoming the main players in the positions they are trusted. Every experiment needs time to prove. That is the most accurate measure for whether Mr. Troussier's answer to change is right or wrong.

Van Cuong, Van Lam, Tuan Tai (from left to right)

But with the goal of winning tickets to the 2026 or 2030 World Cup when the number of participating teams is increased to 48, it seems that Coach Troussier's strategy of rejuvenating the squad is gradually correct and in line with the general trend of world football. Because by that time, if Thai Son, Van Cuong or Minh Trong are truly mature, they will be the ones to bring Vietnamese football to the biggest festival of world football.

Of course, we cannot ignore the role of veterans such as Van Lam, Tuan Anh, Van Toan, Hung Dung or Hoang Duc. Because they are the bridge in the transition process. Thanks to the value of these "veterans", the "rising stars" can develop comprehensively in terms of professional capacity, experience as well as battle prowess.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/doi-tuyen-viet-nam-muon-thay-doi-buoc-phai-danh-doi-185231119222911169.htm