Why is Coach Park's golden generation gradually fading in the Vietnamese national team?

Surprising numbers

The preliminary list of 34 players for the Vietnamese national team preparing for the 2023 Asian Cup has been announced, with only 8 of these names having participated in the 2019 Asian Cup nearly 5 years ago.

The eight players include goalkeeper Dang Van Lam, defenders Nguyen Thanh Chung, Que Ngoc Hai, Do Duy Manh, midfielders Nguyen Quang Hai, Do Hung Dung, and striker duo Nguyen Van Toan and Nguyen Tien Linh.

Of course, five years is a long time for changes in football. It is normal for the team roster to change and be reshuffled.

Cong Phuong (middle) will not attend Asian Cup 2023

With coach Philippe Troussier, the shift is also strong because of the new playing philosophy. He emphasizes the ball control style of play, wants players to play with higher intensity, stronger and more determined, more daring in attack, instead of playing cautiously and lurking.

Every coach has his own style and method of selecting players. That is why Mr. Troussier has trusted the new personnel framework, rejuvenated the squad and selected players who fit his playing style, besides still having the motivation to compete and the potential to improve their level.

However, the absence of many stars who made the team successful under coach Park Hang-seo also brings regret.

Because most of them should be at the peak of their careers now. The young players of 4 years ago are now only 27, 28 years old. This is the age when the young stars of the past should have reached their peak in both experience and skill, and would have taken charge of the national team. But sadly, most of them have not developed to the expected level.

There are many reasons why the stars of Coach Park’s time are no longer with the national team. For some players like Cong Phuong and Duc Chinh, it is because of a decline in performance and doubted motivation.

For Van Hau, Trong Hoang, Dinh Trong, it is a step back due to injury, and every time they return, their physical strength and ball sense are pulled back a few levels.

As for Tan Tai, Hong Duy, and Tien Dung, it is not suitable for the new philosophy. Tan Tai is the captain of the current V-League champion Hanoi Police, just scored his first goal this season, but has been absent from all 4 recent national team training sessions.

Ho Tan Tai is absent.

Bui Tien Dung is the number 1 central defender of Viettel The Cong Club. However, in the Vietnam national team, he does not even have a reserve position, in contrast to young defender Tuan Tai who is still struggling to find a place in the club, but is guaranteed a starting position in the national team.

A very new team

Even the veteran faces still in the team, no one is sure to be on the field.

Duy Manh, Thanh Chung, and Ngoc Hai all have to compete fiercely with their "juniors". Hung Dung and Hoang Duc sat out the last two matches.

Tien Linh started, but left the field after 45 minutes in the World Cup qualifiers. Van Lam was still stable, but in front of him was the "wall" Nguyen Filip.

The possibility of coach Troussier fielding a squad with... no players who have played at the 2019 Asian Cup is therefore very likely.

The turmoil in the Vietnamese national team has left concerns. That is the gap in experience, because Mr. Troussier's young stars are mostly inexperienced in international tournaments. Just "immersing" in the V-League is not enough for players to reach the top level of Asia, as Coach Troussier admitted.

It's also the style of play, when it seems like it's very adventurous to keep the ball proactively and confidently against the top teams in Asia.

However, change is necessary when the old foundation is shaky. Coach Troussier is also open to players who change for the common playing style, as in the case of Van Toan, Van Thanh or Tuan Hai. Putting faith in the French coach means accepting to enter a transformation to eliminate the old. Although painful, it is inevitable.

Let's wait and see if the Vietnam team will be a new version at the 2023 Asian Cup.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/vi-sao-the-he-vang-cua-thay-park-dan-nhat-nhoa-o-doi-tuyen-viet-nam-185231227125606417.htm