What squad will coach Trousier choose to go to the Philippines?

It's not uncommon for key and promising players to be called up to the national team despite injuries. Examples include Trong Hoang and Hung Dung during Park Hang-seo's era, or Ngoc Hai and Dinh Bac currently under Philippe Troussier. These players train with individualized training plans and undergo rapid recovery processes to be ready for matches.

Just a few days before finalizing the squad for the trip to the Philippines, experts and fans, especially the French coach, could breathe a sigh of relief as center-back Ngoc Hai had successfully completed the training program as required.

With the absence of key player Ngoc Hai, the final squad selection, at least for the defense, of the Vietnamese national team will likely change from what was predicted. While Duy Manh is absent and his replacement is Tien Dung, it's not certain that the Viettel center-back will be chosen, as Viet Anh and Thanh Binh are ready to perform at their best. Not to mention Tuan Tai, who has long been considered a crucial player on the left wing in the effort to circulate the ball from their own half and initiate effective attacks.

Just one day before the final squad was announced, defender Tien Anh, who had been extensively tested on the right flank, had to say goodbye to the team. This shows that although Coach Troussier persevered with his players through various experiments, he could not be patient in the face of public pressure. His decision to recall Van Thanh and Xuan Manh was a necessary calculation to address the wing position, which is a crucial aspect of any team's attack, ensuring both defensive capabilities and being the key to any offensive strategy.

The final list is typically 23 names, so the last three names left out remain difficult to predict. Some predict that ultimately, Troussier will have to choose experienced, high-performing players, despite his previous "favoritism" towards some of his players during the testing process. Accordingly, Van Lam, Ngoc Hai, Viet Anh, Tuan Tai, Van Thanh, Xuan Manh, Tuan Anh, Hoang Duc, Hung Dung, Tuan Hai, and Van Toan will be the names included in the starting lineup. Consequently, there will be little room for young players like Van Viet, Thanh Binh, Thai Son, Minh Trong, Van Cuong, Dinh Bac, and Van Khang…

But in our opinion, all predictions will just be… speculation, because the “White Wizard” is not as simple a strategist as many people think. The French coach will retain key players who are in good form, as he expects from Ngoc Hai and Hoang Duc, for example, but there is nothing certain to say whether he will keep Van Thanh, Xuan Manh, or Van Quyet, players he has called up and then dropped.

Not to mention new players like Thai Son, Minh Trong, Van Khang, and Van Cuong… who are improving every day, refreshing the team's image and representing the long-term hope of Vietnamese football, and who will certainly be deployed and utilized in the most appropriate way possible by him.

Many people are worried and concerned about the French coach's approach, and that's understandable, but let's give him a chance to prove his abilities before things really begin. Of course, thorough and complete preparation is the foundation for any step. Friendly matches are a screening, selection, and team-building process, but remember, no two teams do things the same way, even if the ultimate goal is the same. It's not good for a team to win a friendly but lose the official match. It's essential for a team to lose friendly matches in order to win the official match, just like Calisto did in the 2008 AFF Cup, and who knows, maybe that will happen again with Troussier later?

Furthermore, it's worth remembering that the biggest star, Quang Hai, is currently languishing in disappointment, not to mention Cong Phuong, Van Toan, and others who are also drifting aimlessly, a truly regrettable situation. Therefore, Troussier's task is far from easy, as Vietnamese football is at the top of the region but faces immense difficulties against every opponent, while the ambitions and expectations of experts and fans remain undiminished!

Today, the Vietnamese national team's roster for the opening match of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in the Asian region will be announced. "The beginning is always the hardest," so hopefully, Coach Troussier and his team will remain calm and confident to overcome their familiar opponent with a self-aware and understanding attitude.

A favorable result in the opening match will be a crucial morale boost before facing their top opponent in the group, Iraq, at My Dinh Stadium a few days later. The French coach has certainly done a good job of reassuring all the players that the door to the national team is always open; they may not be selected today, but they could very well be tomorrow. This is also a new aspect of the current team, completely different from the pre-existing, unsuccessful lineup seen in the past.