'I look at the feet, then at the player's face'

'I treat players equally'

On the afternoon of January 4, coach Philippe Troussier held a press conference to answer questions about the situation of the Vietnamese team ahead of the 2023 Asian Cup. The French coach affirmed that the recruitment and preparation process had been completed relatively well, as the players met the requirements of the coaching staff.

"This training session of the Vietnamese team towards the 2023 Asian Cup has started from December 28. Group 1 will be training from December 28, including U.23 players, along with some national team players over 23 years old. Group 2 will be training from December 31, including players who have been playing continuously at their clubs since 2023. I want them to rest for a few days before leaving for the tournament.

Shortlist of Vietnam team towards Asian Cup 2023

We focus and work simultaneously with about 60 players. As in previous training sessions, as the coach of both the U.23 and the national team, I give equal opportunities to the players, conveying to them the same philosophy and tactical requirements," Coach Troussier shared.

The French coach also assessed the group of injured players, as well as the physical condition of the Vietnamese team: "As you know, in the last round of the V-League before the team gathered, there were a number of injuries, some players gathered for the national team. I asked the team to gather early so that the medical team could check their injuries. I also took them for an MRI scan to check.

I found out that some players were injured before and are not fit enough to join the team. Some players have less serious injuries, we have to predict their recovery progress, whether they will be able to play in the next tournament or not. Players with minor injuries are currently rehabilitating with the medical team, and may be able to practice soon.

We have been training since before 4.1. During this time, there have been no injuries during training, but the players' injuries have appeared before. The players have performed well, determined and made efforts to confirm their positions. The medical staff have made efforts to examine and help the players have a certain physical condition, then they will adjust with the fitness coach so that the players can train well."

The Vietnam team does not distinguish between old and young players.

Coach Troussier decided to call up some young players, including Nguyen Van Truong, Bui Vi Hao, Le Van Do, Nguyen Van Viet, Pham Van Luan to increase the competitiveness of the national team. Currently, the Vietnamese team has 30 members. The official list of 26 names to play in the 2023 Asian Cup will only be decided on January 13, that is, 1 day before the match with Japan.

"I want to emphasize that of the 5 additional players, they will not practice with the whole team. Only 2 players will practice and practice with the whole team, I will take them to Qatar. The whole team will leave with 30 players. The final list will only be decided 1 day before the match," Coach Troussier affirmed.

Players like Van Luan and Hai Long have opportunities despite their lack of experience.

Talking about the impact of injuries on the team's strength, Coach Troussier asserted: "I don't want to answer directly, but I want to say that each player who has joined the national team will have their own contribution depending on their individual role. With this force, I can arrange many different formations and diagrams. The choice depends on each opponent. Against weak teams, we will play with different personnel when facing strong teams.

Every team has injury problems, for example Japan will be without Kaoru Mitoma, Thailand will be without Chanathip. That is the difference between the national team and the club, when the national team gathers and plays in a short period of time.

In the past 8 months, I have trained nearly 80 players. That does not mean we expect to fall into this situation of having so many injured players. But with what we have trained, no matter what happens, there will always be players ready to stand up and replace. The squad I have chosen to go to Qatar is the most reasonable squad at the moment. Don't think of them as alternatives or second-rate. I consider them first-class players. I want them to believe that."

Coach Troussier also affirmed that he has no concept of young or old players, but only whether the player has enough quality and effort or not.

"I don't discriminate between players' ages, I don't say players are old or young, I judge based on their qualities, what they do on the field. I look at their legs, that is, how they perform on the training ground, then their faces, that is, look to see if they are young or old.

Every player selected is suitable for my assessment, including many criteria such as physical condition, position, spirit, attitude, versatility, and connection with teammates. Good players do not need to think about whether they are old or young. I do not decide that good players must be old or young. If they are good, they are good no matter what. I give equal opportunities to the best and most suitable players. Do not create age boundaries in the Vietnam team," the French coach assessed.

At the 2023 Asian Cup, Coach Troussier and his team will face Japan, Iraq and Indonesia. The team's goal is to qualify for the group stage.

In the last 2 times participating in the Asian Cup (2019 and 2007), the Vietnamese team won the right to enter the quarterfinals. Coincidentally, in all 3 of these tournaments, Quang Hai and his teammates met Japan and Iraq.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/hlv-troussier-toi-nhin-doi-chan-roi-moi-xem-den-khuon-mat-cau-thu-185240104165550302.htm