Vietnam national team faces unexpected difficulties before the match against Indonesia national team; Saying goodbye to Vietnam national team, Cong Phuong returns to Japan

Vietnam national football team faces unexpected difficulties before match against Indonesia national football team

On the evening of March 19, the Vietnamese team entered its first training session at the Gelora Bung Karno Sports Complex, preparing for the match against host Indonesia on March 21.

At the training session, Coach Philippe Troussier continued to implement the familiar training program. However, the intensity of exercise was increased to release the inertia of the players. The French coach also has the most energetic force in hand. There were no cases of injuries or health problems.

According to the plan, tonight, March 20, the Vietnam national team will have an official training session at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium. However, according to the announcement from AFC, to maintain the grass surface for the match on March 21, both the Indonesia and Vietnam national teams will not be allowed to practice on this field.

In fact, through observation, it can be seen that the grass surface of Bung Karno Stadium has not recovered in time after the music event held here 1 month ago.

Due to the lack of a familiarization session on the field, tomorrow coach Philippe Troussier and his team will visit Gelora Bung Karno Stadium to help the players get a better feel for the space of the competition venue.

Narrow door for Indonesia team and Tien Linh's obsession

The Indonesian team will be missing four key players in the first leg of the second qualifying round for the 2026 World Cup against Vietnam on March 21, while coach Troussier will have the return of "God of Fortune" Tien Linh.

The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) said: “Three players Jordi Amat, Elkan Baggott and Yance Sayuri cannot be present in the match against Vietnam due to injury.” Previously, coach Shin Tae-yong had called up 28 players for the two matches against the Vietnamese team and now Indonesia only has 26 players, after Arkhan Fikri was a late reinforcement.

Mr. Shin also expressed his concern: “Jordi, Yance, and Elkan will not play in both matches against Vietnam because they will not be able to recover in time. Only Asnawi will return to the second leg at My Dinh Stadium after being suspended due to a penalty card. With these absences, Indonesia will certainly be negatively affected, but I believe the remaining players will be able to show their full potential.”

Saying goodbye to the Vietnamese team, Cong Phuong returns to Japan

Striker Nguyen Cong Phuong will return to Yokohama FC to treat his injury after missing the Vietnam national team in the 2nd qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup.

Striker Nguyen Cong Phuong is one of five players who had to say goodbye to the Vietnamese national team before the two matches against Indonesia in the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup. He had three training sessions before his ankle injury recurred and he was absent from the training session on the afternoon of March 17. On March 18, the Nghe An player said he could return to light training, but after consulting with the medical team, Coach Troussier still decided not to risk his player.

Having missed the first leg against the Indonesian team, the striker born in 1993 did not wait for the opportunity in the second leg at My Dinh Stadium on March 26. Accordingly, he decided to return to Yokohama to treat his injury as well as wait for the opportunity to play for his home team in the near future. This is something that Cong Phuong did not want when he returned to Vietnam to join the team this time.

Eriksen is upset because he was banished to the MU bench

Christian Eriksen expressed his dissatisfaction with Coach Ten Hag, because he has not been playing regularly recently.

The Danish star has lost his regular place in MU’s midfield this season due to a decline in form. Therefore, he seems quite dissatisfied.

At the age of 32, Eriksen's contract with the Manchester team expires in the summer of 2025.

If the situation does not improve, he will consider leaving Old Trafford at the end of the season.

Returning to the national team, Eriksen told Tipsbladet: "I spoke with coach Ten Hag and expressed my dissatisfaction with the current situation at MU.

The head coach said the lineup was his choice. Kobbie Mainoo is playing well, the rest of the midfield is doing well. So the competition for places is fierce."