10 matches that caused doubt, 1 match that sowed hope, the Troussier project with the Vietnam National Team is still worth waiting for

The match against Japan was the 11th match of the Vietnam team under coach Troussier. It was another defeat and the 7th loss. But unlike the previous 10 matches, the loss to Japan gave hope to the fans.

10 matches that caused doubt

In the previous 10 matches (both official and friendly), the Vietnamese team won 4 and lost 6, but basically, we did not have a positive feeling about what the players showed. There was only a feeling of frustration and doubt when the team revealed problems in both attack (counter-attack) and defense.

When they have the ball, the players lack ideas, lack creativity, coordinate poorly, and pass incorrectly. When defending, they leave many gaps, cover poorly, and make many individual mistakes.

Even our victories against Hong Kong (China), Syria, Palestine, and the Philippines did not leave any remarkable impression. They were all just bland, lackluster performances, even though the opponents were not highly rated.

A battle of hope

Failed but not disappointed. That's what we can say after Vietnam's 2-4 loss to Japan.

Perhaps this is the first match under Philippe Troussier's reign that the Vietnamese team lost and neither fans nor experts felt disappointed or worried, but on the contrary.

We have conceded 4 goals. The number of goals conceded is high but it is not surprising or worrying because this is Japan. All comparisons are lame, but if Germany, Peru (both lost 1-4), El Salvador (0-6), Canada (1-4), Türkiye (2-4), Thailand (0-5) ... all conceded at least 4 goals against Japan, then it is completely normal for the Vietnamese team to concede 4 goals against Japan (although the first goal conceded was due to a very unfortunate personal mistake by goalkeeper Nguyen Filip). Simply put, Japan possesses stars of superior class and superior technical quality.

What is… unusual here is that when facing a star-studded squad with top-notch technical quality and extensive experience from Japan, the Vietnamese team with many young players and little international experience (Thai Son, Dinh Bac, Minh Trong, Tuan Tai…) did not collapse, were not afraid and did not just know how to defend.

We still played with enthusiasm and confidence. The players boldly coordinated, held the ball and dribbled. It was a proactive football, with clear lines and intentions, not random passes or just clearing the ball.

That is what fans and experts wanted to see and saw. Coach Troussier’s mark is there, in the confident handling of Dinh Bac, Minh Trong, Thai Son…

Confident, proactive and clear-intentioned playing style was the key to helping Vietnam score two goals against Japan, something that, apart from Türkiye, the other nine opponents that Japan defeated in their last 10 matches could not do.

Of course, defeat is nothing to be happy about, but the way Vietnam lost to Japan gives us reason to be happy and hopeful.

The Troussier project has been running for just over 6 months. There is a long road ahead with many challenges. But if the players continue to play with this confidence, with this spirit of not giving up and not knowing fear, then we will have not only challenges but also hope ahead.

Hope for the maturity and progress of the "Golden Star Warriors" over time. Hope for positive and impressive results that will come sooner or later.