Vietnam team practices lightly on first day in Qatar

QATAR- Coach Philippe Troussier let the players work out at the hotel instead of going to the field, after having just traveled a long way from Vietnam to Qatar on January 5.

The team has just traveled more than 12 hours from Hanoi to Doha - the capital of Qatar. Therefore, the coaching staff let the players do light exercises at the hotel to relieve their fatigue instead of going to the training ground.

Coach Troussier also practiced with his students.

Before that, the French coach held a quick meeting with the whole team to disseminate the plan for the first day of activities, and at the same time encouraged his students to focus on the upcoming 2023 Asian Cup campaign.

Goalkeeper Filip Nguyen, who was called up to the Vietnamese national team for the first time after receiving Vietnamese citizenship on December 6, 2023. With Dang Van Lam absent due to injury, the goalkeeper of mixed Vietnamese and Czech descent is sure to start at the 2023 Asian Cup.

Center back Bui Hoang Viet Anh is the hope in defense when a series of seniors such as Que Ngoc Hai, Nguyen Thanh Chung, and Bui Tien Dung are absent due to injury.

Qatar is four hours behind Vietnam, so the team needs to have a good transition in their biological rhythm at first.

The weather at this time in the West Asian country is quite favorable for training activities, with average temperatures ranging from 17 to 25 degrees Celsius.

Ho Tan Tai is eligible for additional call-up, but with the current personnel situation, he can be used. The player from Hanoi Police can play left back, center back or wing midfielder.

Do Duy Manh has just recovered from an injury and has not played a single training session since joining the team on December 31, 2023. However, doctors believe that the Hanoi FC center-back will be able to return in time for the opening match on January 14 against Japan.

Midfielder Nguyen Tuan Anh suffered a muscle strain and had to practice separately with a doctor and fitness expert since joining the team.

Do Hung Dung (right) is one of five remaining players in the squad that reached the quarter-finals of the 2019 Asian Cup under coach Park Hang-seo. However, his recent form has not been good.

In the central midfield position, coach Troussier recently used 20-year-old player Nguyen Thai Son.

Thanh Hoa's player was the captain of Vietnam U18 team three years ago, led by coach Troussier.

In addition, the Vietnamese team also has a young face who can play well in this position, Nguyen Hai Long.

Nguyen Quang Hai is the big hope on the attacking front. With Nguyen Hoang Duc absent due to injury, the Hanoi midfielder may have to drop back to play in an organizing role.

The attacking wing position has Nguyen Van Toan (left), a player who is in good form for Nam Dinh with three goals and two assists. Pham Xuan Manh (right) can play both full-back and wing midfielder.

With Nguyen Tien Linh absent due to injury, Pham Tuan Hai is the number one choice for the center forward position.

Coach Troussier can also use young player Nguyen Van Tung (middle). This 22-year-old player was given the role of center forward by the French coach at the 2022 SEA Games.

The atmosphere of the Vietnamese team is joyful. The team will play a friendly match with Kyrgyzstan on January 9, the final rehearsal before competing in the 2023 Asian Cup.

The 2023 Asian Cup will take place from January 12, 2024 to February 10, 2024 in Qatar. The 24 teams will be divided into six groups, playing a round-robin tournament to select the six first-place teams, six second-place teams and four best third-place teams to advance to the round of 16. Vietnam is in Group D. After the match with Japan, the team will play Indonesia on January 19 and Iraq on January 24.