Never give up!

Vietnam team will play their best against Iraq to get the best result. Photo: TUAN HUU

Keep up the spirit

The Vietnamese team failed to pass the group stage of the 2023 Asian Cup, which was a sad result, especially when the team had high expectations because it was led by a new coach, with a new playing style based on a new generation of players. It was ironic that the Vietnamese team was eliminated by a familiar opponent in the region that had been defeated many times before. But now is not the time to sit and "gnaw" at the pain, but to stand up strongly to fight. More than anyone, coach Troussier is the one who understands the disappointment of the fans best, it is the 68-year-old strategist who has been criticized and pressured the most in recent days because of the team's poor performance.

Of course, Mr. Troussier was also very sad and disappointed, but as a coach with many years of experience, he could not let his own spirit and the whole team go down. The match with Indonesia had just ended, Coach Troussier went out to the field to encourage each player, especially Thanh Binh - who made a mistake that led to the only goal, causing the home team to lose the match. During the days of preparation for the match with Iraq, Coach Troussier constantly urged his students to practice, he tried to transmit positive energy to the players on the training ground, helping them maintain their spirit to aim for a good result in the farewell match.

In his speech to his players after the loss to Indonesia, Coach Troussier said that even though he is 70 years old and has almost everything, he still keeps himself motivated to continue working, still devoting his every day to contributing to Vietnamese football. Therefore, Coach Troussier wants the players who are in the most energetic stage of their lives to continue to strive in all circumstances, first of all to develop themselves, then to turn their aspirations and ambitions into reality. There is no easy path to glory.

Coach Troussier affirmed: “The team still has the last match, we still have to fight for the goal of 3 points. We are not allowed to give up, we have to maintain our fighting spirit in all circumstances”. In the last two matches against Japan and Indonesia, although the results were not as expected, the players played with great spirit and always tried their best for the flag. Coach Troussier wants his players to maintain that spirit to prepare for the match against Iraq with seriousness and high determination. Only by overcoming difficult times as well as bravely facing the surrounding pressure, persevering with their choices, can he and the players look forward to positive things in the future.

Need a good result

The match against Iraq tonight is just a formality, but for the Vietnam team, it is very important at the moment. If they continue to lose, the risk of Vietnam being knocked out of the world's top 100 and losing the number 1 position in Southeast Asia - something that has never happened in nearly 6 years - is very high. The Vietnam team needs at least a draw to prevent this from happening. Coach Troussier and his students will be determined to achieve that goal because only then will they reduce pressure and criticism, and regain confidence.

Surely, the "Golden Star Warriors" will fight with all their might for honor, the flag and they will try to aim for a victory as a gift for the fans. Of course, a good result in tonight's match will create motivation for the journey ahead, especially when the Vietnamese team meets Iraq again next June and 2 matches with Indonesia in March in the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup. Remember, the 2026 World Cup qualifiers are the most important playground for the Vietnamese team in 2024. The team's goal is to strive to achieve one of the top two positions in the group to enter the third qualifying round.

The success that Vietnamese football teams have achieved in recent years, besides expertise, mental strength is a very important factor. No matter how difficult or challenging, no matter how strong the opponent is, the "Golden Star Warriors" will still enter the field with the highest fighting spirit, never giving up on their goals and never giving up in any situation. That is the powerful "weapon" of Vietnamese football teams and the pride of fans.

More than ever, the Vietnamese team needs to maximize the effectiveness of that "weapon" in tonight's match. It will not be easy for the Vietnamese team to win, but the team will be determined to aim for the best result. The players will enter this match with a relaxed mentality, trying to show their best to dedicate a beautiful match to the audience. The fact that the Iraqi team has certainly advanced with the top spot in the group and is likely to field the B team to save the energy of the pillars will be an opportunity for the Vietnamese team to aim for the best result. But that will not be as important as the attitude and performance of the players on the field.

VINH HY

Source