The match against Hong Kong (China) marked Philippe Troussier's debut as head coach of the Vietnamese national team. After receiving much criticism at the SEA Games 32, this was an opportunity for the French coach to regain the trust of the fans.
Vietnam's opponent is not strong. Hong Kong (China) is ranked only 147th on the FIFA world rankings, 52 places lower than Vietnam. According to Transfermarkt, their squad value is only 4.6 million euros, two-thirds that of the home team.
The arrival of coach Jorn Andersen significantly changed the strength of the Hong Kong (China) national team. They unexpectedly qualified for the 2023 Asian Cup. Andersen brought the discipline and scientific approach of European football, helping the team, which was previously weak defensively, become much more solid.
Coach Troussier is under a lot of pressure.
Furthermore, the Hong Kong (China) team is also striving to improve its squad quality by acquiring several naturalized players. They are no longer the easy opponents they once were and could pose difficulties for the Vietnamese team, especially as the host nation is undergoing a crucial transition period.
Three months of work – primarily focused on coaching the U23 team – is certainly not long enough for Coach Troussier to fully develop a new playing style for the Vietnamese national team. However, with a squad comprised of players with the skill and experience of the "golden generation," Coach Troussier may achieve better results than the U23 team's performance at the SEA Games 32. Players like Hoang Duc and Quang Hai may be able to grasp the new tactical requirements more quickly than their younger teammates.
The players need to get used to controlling the ball more, passing more, and limiting long passes. Troussier's ultimate goal is to help the players understand and play according to a new philosophy, in contrast to his predecessor Park Hang Seo.
A manageable opponent like the Hong Kong (China) team helps the Vietnamese team avoid psychological pressure. Clearly, as it's his debut match, Coach Troussier still needs a win. But the most important goal for the French coach remains conducting tactical experiments. It's likely that Coach Troussier will use the lineup he deems optimal, and then experiment with other options.
Besides that, fans also want to see Quang Hai's form after a period of unsuccessful performances in Europe. Helping his player regain his confidence and feel for the game is also one of Troussier's goals in this match. Just one goal could help Quang Hai regain his confidence and gradually rediscover his brilliance after a difficult time at Pau FC.
Vietnam's expected lineup
Dang Van Lam, Phan Tuan Tai, Bui Hoang Viet Anh, Que Ngoc Hai, Doan Van Hau, Ho Tan Tai, Nguyen Hai Huy, Nguyen Hoang Duc, Nguyen Quang Hai, Lam Ti Phong, Pham Tuan Hai.
Prediction: Vietnam 4-0 Hong Kong (China)
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