The Vietnamese national team faces a challenging away match against the Philippines in their first game of the second round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. This encounter at the Rizal Memorial Stadium is crucial for both coach Troussier and the Vietnamese team's long journey ahead.
The pressure to win
The Vietnamese team must win against the Philippines. This isn't just a slogan to put pressure on or motivate the players, but a realistic situation that Coach Troussier and his players are facing at this moment.
It's important to acknowledge that the Vietnamese national team started the 2026 World Cup qualifiers with a somewhat heavy heart. The excessive expectations placed on coach Troussier have left fans impatient; consistent victories are needed, even in friendly matches and team trials.
Coach Troussier is under immense pressure.
Even when facing a very strong opponent like the South Korean team, a 0-6 defeat is perfectly normal from a professional standpoint, but it still makes Que Ngoc Hai and his teammates "tired" if they read the comments on social media. Three wins and three losses after six friendly matches is an average result in terms of statistics.
The Vietnamese team accepts the reality that they are facing a wave of criticism, but Mr. Troussier has gathered a lot of constructive information and positive signals. While the team's playing style is not yet ideal, it is beginning to take shape. This was clearly demonstrated in their efforts to develop their game against a strong opponent like South Korea.
The official squad list for major tournaments was narrowed down to 25 players and 3 goalkeepers after six months. Troussier's core team gradually emerged, and players who had performed poorly – despite playing a lot – in previous matches, such as Truong Tien Anh, were ruthlessly dropped. The French coach dispelled fans' doubts about favoritism towards his so-called "favorite" players.
However, that was a test run. Once the official tournament begins, results are what matter. Fans have reason to demand to see winning football. Nobody wants to see defeat, especially against regional rivals like the Philippines.
Is it easy to beat the Philippines? The answer is no. It's not just now that beating this team has been difficult. The Philippine national team has always known how to cause problems for any major team in the region, even the Vietnamese national team under coach Park Hang Seo.
Troussier's dilemma
Beyond the emotional impact on the majority, Coach Troussier needed this victory more than ever from a professional standpoint. The 68-year-old coach is responsible for the Vietnamese national team's performance. The target set by the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) for the entire team before departure was clear: they had to get through the second qualifying round before thinking about bigger dreams.
To secure a place in the next round, the Vietnamese team needs to accumulate points. The simplest way to do this is to win against opponents of similar or lower caliber from Southeast Asia. Therefore, defeating the Philippines would solve the short-term problem.
The Vietnamese team needs to win against the Philippines.
If they achieve good results, the Vietnamese team will provide a huge boost to the fans, creating a catalyst to energize My Dinh Stadium for the home match against Iraq on November 21st. Earning 4 points after the first two matches, along with the excitement, would be a very appealing scenario.
Looking to the future, Mr. Troussier and the VFF leadership can remain steadfast in their plan. But they need a sufficient number of victories to convince fans that Vietnamese football is heading in the right direction. Furthermore, as Mr. Troussier builds a completely different philosophy from his predecessor, he himself must also build confidence in his players that this style of play will lead to success.
The loss to the Philippines wasn't a disaster, but it could put unnecessary pressure on coach Troussier. The risks for the Vietnamese team at Rizal Memorial Stadium are high, and a victory would be well worth the effort.
Mai Phuong
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