Asian Cup 2023 will be an opportunity for the Vietnam National Team to improve young players

The 2023 Asian Cup could be the arena for Minh Trong, Van Khang, Thai Son, Dinh Bac… to shine as expected by coach Philippe Troussier. This year’s Asian Cup promises to be a launching pad for them to become stars of a footballing scene that is more recognized than before.

Compared to the generation of seniors like Quang Hai, Duy Manh, Hung Dung, Van Toan who participated in the Asian Cup 5 years ago, the Vietnamese team that went to Qatar this year has a series of young players. In 2019, the hopes of the Vietnamese team like Quang Hai were only 22 years old.

Coach Park Hang-seo has brought a talented group of players who won the runner-up position at the AFC U23 Championship and the AFF Cup 2018 to the Asian Cup. And the Vietnamese team surprised everyone by reaching the top 8 of the continent (only losing to the runner-up Japan in the quarter-finals).

Coach Troussier at the present time has calculated for his team to have a great bounce from the desire of the young. The French coach has the experience and courage to believe in them to help Vietnamese football flourish. Putting aside the opposing opinions, Coach Troussier can help the young talents shine again in the 2023 Asian Cup arena.

Among them, Dinh Bac could be the top hope of Coach Troussier. After what happened in the past year, the player in the top 10 youngest names to participate in the Asian Cup has matured more than many people expected.

Dinh Bac’s progress is demonstrated by his goals from V-League to World Cup qualifiers. His impressive physique, dribbling ability and decisive kicks have earned coach Troussier’s absolute trust in this striker.

Dinh Bac's ability can make many people think of Cong Phuong, the striker who shone with goals against Iraq and Jordan at the 2019 Asian Cup. Coincidentally, this time, Dinh Bac will likely replace Cong Phuong to play the role of winger of the Vietnam National Team. This is the position that Coach Park Hang-seo arranged for Cong Phuong, helping the HAGL striker at that time shine in the national team's shirt.

Teammates of the U23 Vietnam team like Dinh Bac, Minh Trong, Thai Son, Van Khang also have the opportunity to advance to the ranks of real stars. Being able to compete on equal terms with top Asian opponents will be an opportunity for all of them to grow up. It is not easy for the Vietnam team to face them in an official tournament.

This is not simply a challenge, but it helps young players broaden their horizons. If it were not for Coach Troussier, it would have been a long time before the names mentioned above would have had the opportunity to play for the Vietnam national team.

Coach Troussier has given them the opportunity, and in return, they need to show their desire to contribute to Vietnamese football. Along with seniors who have proven their abilities such as Quang Hai, Tuan Anh, Van Toan, Coach Troussier's Vietnam team at the 2023 Asian Cup is extremely young.

The French coach has a very well-balanced squad, most of whom are in their prime. The public's doubts about Coach Troussier may turn into motivation for the Vietnamese team to create a surprise in Qatar this time.