Coach Troussier says special words to Nguyen Filip and Hung Dung

After arriving in Doha (Qatar), the Vietnamese team has settled down to eat, sleep, and practice. The team's spirit is very comfortable before the important campaign of the 2023 Asian Cup.

In Qatar, coach Philippe Troussier had his first internal meeting with the entire team. The French strategist encouraged his players to work hard, try hard, and play confidently as they had practiced. In addition, the 68-year-old coach also said special words to some players in their 30s.

HLV Troussier nói lời đặc biệt với Nguyễn Filip, Hùng Dũng - 1 — Nguyen Filip attends Asian Cup 2023 at the age of 31 (Photo: VFF).

"This is the last week before the Vietnamese team enters the opening match of the 2023 Asian Cup. Please try hard and take care of yourself. In terms of playing style, the players should be more confident and deploy the ball from home more proactively, as they have practiced before," said coach Philippe Troussier.

"For players in their 30s, enjoy the 2023 Asian Cup, because it could be the last major Asian tournament of your life."

As Troussier said, the 2023 Asian Cup could be the last continental tournament for Nguyen Filip, Hung Dung, Tuan Anh, Dinh Trieu... These players are already in their 30s and it is very difficult for them to participate in another Asian Cup.

The Vietnamese team is one of the teams with the lowest average age in the tournament. Specifically, the list registered by coach Troussier to attend the 2023 Asian Cup has an average age of 23.3, second only to Indonesia (22.5). Notable young faces of the Vietnamese team include striker Dinh Bac (19 years old), Thai Son (20 years old), Tuan Duong, Van Viet (21 years old), Minh Trong, Tuan Tai and Van Tung (22 years old)...

After two GYM sessions at the hotel, tonight (local time), the Vietnamese team will have their first outdoor session. The weather in Doha is quite pleasant, along with the players' relaxed mentality, so the training session will be most effective.

HLV Troussier nói lời đặc biệt với Nguyễn Filip, Hùng Dũng - 2 — Vietnam team practices GYM in Qatar (Photo: VFF).

Coach Troussier and his players have more than a week to train and complete the final preparations. During this time, the Vietnamese team will play a friendly match with Kyrgyzstan on January 9 before finalizing the official list of 26 players on January 13.

The 2024 Asian Cup finals will take place from January 12 to February 10 in Qatar. Vietnam will play Japan on January 14, Indonesia on January 19 and Iraq on January 24. Coach Troussier and his team aim to advance past the group stage.