When love burns again

After a period of great success under coach Park Hang-seo, Vietnam's football field has experienced years of... desolation every time the national team played. That is the legacy of the crisis under coach Philippe Troussier, with the ultimate disappointment being a series of 7 consecutive losses for the Vietnam team from the 2023 Asian Cup to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

The stands that were once packed with spectators became deserted and desolate. The Vietnamese team played against Iraq, the Philippines, and played friendly matches against Russia and Thailand, with less than half of the capacity being filled.

Vietnam team is regaining confidence

To say that fans were disappointed because the team lost is... not entirely true. In previous difficult periods, such as under coach Toshiya Miura (2014 - 2016) or coach Nguyen Huu Thang (2016 - 2017), the Vietnamese team also had matches filled with fans, when fans had to queue up very long to get tickets to the stadium. The problem is not only the result, but also the performance and emotions.

The period from 2023 to the end of 2024 is the time when the Vietnamese team loses faith, because fans no longer see the fire of enthusiasm. Because of the generational transition when familiar faces are no longer present? Because the football philosophy is not "pleasing to the eyes" of the audience, because the emotions the Vietnamese team brings are not as complete as in the beginning?

There are many reasons, but during those difficult years, the players understood that the love of fans is not unconditional. Fans only love and believe when they see players truly fighting for their country.

The crisis has made the Vietnamese team lose confidence, but it has also brought a lesson: the whole team must make an effort to bring the audience back to the stadium, so that tickets to watch the team become more valuable. As coach Fabio Capello once said: "Respect does not appear naturally, people have to fight for it."

The only way to win is to devote yourself on the field, to try until the last drop of sweat. Fans spend money to "enjoy" the football product. They are very fair, so as long as the players try sincerely, the stands full of fans will be a recognition.

Fans are always fair

The Vietnamese team still has shortcomings in their playing style? Yes. Coach Kim Sang-sik's students are not good at attacking and still have loose defense? Yes. They have not yet formed a clear playing philosophy? Not wrong either.

But why is Viet Tri Stadium still full of fans, why are tickets sold out as soon as they are released, why are there fans willing to endure the winter cold to wait in line for the chance to enter the stadium? Because just like the time of Coach Park Hang-seo, or sometimes under previous coaches, fans see effort. Fans see players who, although not perfect, are always trying to improve. Audiences see the national team really throwing themselves into the battle for honor and the flag. Fans are willing to accept imperfection, as long as the players keep trying.

That is what the Vietnamese team has done, even though it is only at the beginning, even though it is only a glimmer of light after 2 "cold" years. However, the belief is being restored. Fans come to the stadium, the bosses are also excited and willing to give bonuses to the players (like Mr. Hien giving 2 billion VND, or Acecook and Dong Luc giving 1.5 billion VND), the tickets are getting hotter...

All of this shows that the appeal of the Vietnamese team has returned. Although there is still a long journey ahead, believe that every journey begins with small steps. Be patient and gather faith, and coach Kim Sang-sik and his team will find sweet fruit.

Watch ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2024 live & in full on FPT Play, at: http://fptplay.vn

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/con-sot-ve-xem-doi-tuyen-viet-nam-khi-tinh-yeu-chay-ruc-tro-lai-185241230195310984.htm