Vietnam team has not finalized the list yet
According to the regulations, the deadline for registration is 2 hours before the match starts (6pm). Previously, the Vietnamese team usually announced the list right after the technical meeting, but this time Mr. Troussier did not do that and waited until the last minute.
The reason is that the French coach wants all the players to be ready at all times. For coach Troussier, the 28 players present in the Philippines are all part of the plan. They need to be prepared for every situation on the field.
"Even if you play for 5 minutes or 90 minutes, or even if you don't play at all, or your name is not on the registration list, everyone must always be ready, because we not only have tomorrow's match but also the match with Iraq and the matches after that," coach Troussier reminded his players during the pre-match training session.
List of Vietnam team
Goalkeepers: Nguyen Dinh Trieu, Dang Van Lam, Nguyen Van Viet
Defenders: Vu Van Thanh, Bui Hoang Viet Anh, Giap Tuan Duong, Ho Van Cuong, Que Ngoc Hai, Vo Minh Trong, Nguyen Thanh Binh, Phan Tuan Tai, Bui Tien Dung, Pham Xuan Manh
Midfielders: Le Pham Thanh Long, Hoang Van Toan, Nguyen Hoang Duc, Khuat Van Khang, Do Hung Dung, Nguyen Tuan Anh, Trieu Viet Hung, Nguyen Thai Son
Forwards: Nguyen Van Quyet, Pham Tuan Hai, Nguyen Van Tung, Nguyen Van Toan, Nguyen Tien Linh, Nguyen Thanh Nhan, Nguyen Dinh Bac.
Coach Troussier carefully examines documents from Park Hang Seo's time
“We have studied the Philippines’ playing style quite carefully. The team has reviewed the two recent matches between Vietnam and the Philippines,” coach Troussier said at a press conference before the match. The matches the French coach mentioned were the match at the 31st SEA Games and the friendly match before the AFF Cup.
Coach Troussier carefully studied documents from his predecessor's period. (Photo: VFF)
"At the 31st SEA Games, even though the Vietnamese team had added experienced overage players, the Philippines still caused a lot of trouble. In the friendly match, we only won by a narrow margin thanks to a mistake by the opposing team's player. Indeed, the Philippines caused a lot of trouble for the Vietnamese team," Mr. Troussier commented.
However, the head coach of the Vietnamese team said that it was a story of the past. Both teams have changed coaches. The Vietnamese team's squad has also changed by almost half. The circumstances of the match were very different and the information is for reference only.
Philippines coach warns Vietnam team
"The Vietnamese team is rated higher but they will have a lot of difficulties if they want to win. They will have a hard time. Overall, our team has good technique but needs to be more determined and a little more aggressive. I am very excited about this match," said Mr. Michael Weiss of the Philippines in a press conference before the match.
Philippines vs Vietnam Prediction
The Vietnamese team entered the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup in Asia with a trip to the host Philippines. This can be considered the "easiest" match for coach Philippe Troussier and his team as this opponent is not rated as highly as Indonesia or Iraq.
The Vietnam team begins its journey in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. (Photo: VFF)
After 6 friendly matches, Coach Troussier achieved his most important goal of evaluating 80 players to choose 28 suitable names. The remaining issue is how they will combine with each other and how well they understand the requirements of the French coach.
The results of friendly matches may not be important. However, when it comes to official matches, things are different. After the testing phase, the Vietnamese team needs to prove their work with results.
In fact, a victory over the Philippines is considered a mandatory goal. The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) is aiming for a ticket to the third qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup. To do this, the Vietnamese team must handle matches well against opponents in the Southeast Asian region such as the Philippines and Indonesia.
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