Firm faith in the transition

HINGE PHASE

Before coach Philippe Troussier took charge of the Vietnamese national team, Vietnamese football had enjoyed five years of resounding success under coach Park Hang-seo, winning the 2018 AFF Cup, reaching the quarter-finals of the 2019 Asian Cup, the third qualifying round of the 2022 World Cup, and winning the runner-up position at the U.23 Asian Championship... The achievements of the national team at all levels come from many factors: Mr. Park's talent, the excellence of the "golden generation" rising in the snowstorm in Changzhou... But more importantly, Vietnamese football had years of building a solid foundation before that when the youth were exposed to the competition, and the national teams competed in many international tournaments. Then, when the opportunity was ripe, Vietnamese football took off.

To create another successful cycle, Vietnamese football needs to continue building the foundation. The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) signed a contract with Mr. Troussier and agreed with the French strategist on changing the playing philosophy, from defensive counter-attack, gradually shifting to proactive attack, confident ball possession and improving the ability to control the match. The goal is only one: to improve the quality of play, getting closer to the World Cup dream.

Vietnam team faces many hopes and challenges in 2024

The "ingredients" for Coach Troussier to reform the Vietnamese team are a team with a lot of international competition experience, but many players are no longer maintaining their peak performance, struggling with injuries and are used to the defensive counter-attacking style of play under their predecessor. At the same time, there is a young generation whose international competition opportunities have been interrupted by the pandemic, as well as most of them have not made their mark at the club due to the huge shadow of their seniors. Mr. Troussier had 4 years of observing and learning about Vietnamese football before taking the head coach position, but perhaps even the French coach did not expect the transition in the team to be so difficult.

Young players like Thai Son will mature a lot through experience.

4 wins, 8 losses, 11 goals and 21 goals conceded are the achievements of Coach Troussier in his first year coaching the Vietnamese national team. As for U.23 Vietnam, it is the SEA Games bronze medal and a ticket to the U.23 Asian finals. Although the achievements have not met expectations, but just like the transition before Coach Park Hang-seo arrived, Vietnamese football needs perseverance, accepting defeat to learn lessons and of course from the (somewhat bitter) failures, Coach Troussier himself, more than ever, must adjust and "redirect" the direction to suit the context of Asian football.

FAITH

VFF's contract with Coach Troussier has clear goals for two tournaments in 2024, which are to enter the third qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup and win a medal at the 2024 AFF Cup. For the U.23 Asian Cup alone, the French strategist wants U.23 Vietnam to have a ticket to the Paris Olympics. These three tournaments are closely linked in terms of strategy, as the World Cup qualifiers are where the Vietnamese team's capabilities are determined in the Asian arena, and at the same time, the achievements here are a measure of the feasibility of the World Cup dream.

Coach Troussier is facing many challenges.

The AFC U-23 Championship is the stage for Mr. Troussier’s young stars to prove their abilities and gradually gain a foothold in the Vietnamese national team. Although they have shown some potential, the Vietnamese U-23 team needs a victory to break away. The AFF Cup (the tournament will take place at the end of this year) is where Mr. Troussier and his team can affirm their position in Southeast Asia, where Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia are rising strongly.

2024 will be a very stressful year for Coach Troussier and his students, because the tournaments, as well as the forces of the Vietnamese national team and U.23 Vietnam, are intertwined, so a failure, if it happens, can create a psychological breakdown effect. But if successful, it will be a pivotal push for Vietnamese football to be more patient for the "foundation pouring" stage. Just like 2023, 2024 is the "door" that Coach Troussier and his students must strive to open before building a new cycle of success. But above all, the entire football system needs perseverance and even development from the national championship, club to national team. As the level of competition in Asia becomes increasingly fierce, believing and persevering in the direction in the pivotal transition stage is the only way for Vietnamese football to reach the destination.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/doi-tuyen-viet-nam-vung-niem-tin-trong-cuoc-chuyen-giao-185240205180713192.htm