Coach Troussier aims to be proactive, not waiting for counterattacks like in Mr. Park's time.

As part of the preparation plan for the 2023 Asian Cup, coach Philippe Troussier selected 34 players for the Vietnam national team's December training list. Basically, the team's strength this time is still mainly the players who participated in the FIFA Days training sessions this year.

This is also understandable because they are the ones who have spent a long time being trained by the French strategist and have mastered the playing philosophy that he built for the Vietnamese team.

Notably, among the players called up by coach Philippe Troussier are goalkeeper Nguyen Filip and the return of centre-back Thanh Chung. In addition, it is impossible not to mention the presence of some new recruits such as defenders Le Ngoc Bao, Do Thanh Thinh and midfielder Nguyen Hai Long.

Coach Philippe Troussier gives opportunities to many young and new players (Photo: Tien Tuan).

Similar to previous training sessions of the team, coach Philippe Troussier also summoned a fairly large force of U23 players to prepare for the 2024 U23 Asian Cup finals to take place in April 2024.

Commenting on the list of the Vietnamese team this time, commentator Quang Huy said: "In the goalkeeper position, the competition between Nguyen Filip and Dang Van Lam is very attractive and worth waiting for.

Nguyen Filip has been long awaited. This goalkeeper has a physique and training process superior to Vietnamese players, including overseas Vietnamese. Nguyen Filip was once called up to the Czech Republic national team, very suitable for the philosophy of coach Philippe Troussier.

Dang Van Lam has always been number one since 2017. But this time Van Lam has to compete with Nguyen Filip. Personally, I think Nguyen Filip is more comprehensive, plays very well with his feet, when the ball is passed to this goalkeeper's position, it is often kicked up very quickly without having to switch to his favorite foot."

The Vietnamese team has all the best players heading to the 2023 Asian Cup (Photo: Manh Quan).

Former player Nhu Thuan also assessed that the competition between Nguyen Filip and Dang Van Lam will be worth watching: "Nguyen Filip received basic training and played in a top-notch environment, with complete skills.

The three notable factors in Nguyen Filip are his physique, footwork and good reflexes. Nguyen Filip has excellent saves with his feet. If coach Philippe Troussier chooses Nguyen Filip as his number one goalkeeper, it will not be surprising."

In the defense and midfield, commentator Quang Huy commented on some new faces: "Ngoc Bao is a member of the U22 Vietnam team that won the 2019 SEA Games, played for Pho Hien in the First Division and is currently playing for Binh Dinh. Being called up to the national team for the first time is an honor, but also very worthy for this player.

Binh Dinh played 3 central defenders and Ngoc Bao played on the right. Bao's efforts helped him earn a worthy place on the national team. Coach Philippe Troussier's style is that the best form will be chosen. This is the stage that opens up a lot of excitement for the players."

Regarding Hai Long, commentator Quang Huy commented: "Hai Long's position has emerged in the past few years. Recently, when Hanoi FC has recovered, this player is gradually filling the position of Hung Dung who is having problems with his performance."

"The first criteria for the midfield is still to ensure good form, a mix of experience and youth, new plans, steel and technique. Factors like Khuat Van Khang promise to bring interesting changes.

Overall, the midfield shows a desire to compete, although not young, but very energetic," said commentator Quang Huy.

Nguyen Filip received great expectations in this training session (Photo: Manh Quan).

The list of Vietnamese national team players always creates some controversy, according to commentator Quang Huy, each coach has his own viewpoint and philosophy that outsiders cannot see. For example, Ngoc Bao is familiar with the 3-center-back formation in Binh Dinh, in theory it will be convenient when joining the national team, which is the basis for coach Philippe Troussier to choose.

Regarding the list of U23 Vietnam, commentator Quang Huy commented: "With this list, I believe the young players are confident in entering the 2024 U23 Asian finals. In this playground, if we have good results, we will have tickets to the Olympics.

It is very possible that U23 Vietnam can do something. Youth football has achieved many goals under coach Park Hang Seo, and now it continues to be a goal, not a distant dream.

Coach Philippe Troussier has a long-term vision. We are preparing for the long haul, the young players will mature a lot after each tournament. Regarding the playing style, the phrase "ball control" sounds vague, but we can understand it as playing proactively.

Under coach Park Hang Seo, Vietnamese football has achieved many successes, but if we want to reach the World Cup, we must be more relaxed and assertive, instead of waiting for a chance to counterattack."