Can coach Troussier create a miracle against Japan?
Compared to the time when coach Park Hang-seo had two resounding matches with Japan, coach Troussier's current Vietnam team only lacks a few key positions before the rematch with the championship candidate.
In the Vietnamese team for the 2023 Asian Cup, coach Troussier can still use the core squad that helped coach Park Hang-seo hold Japan to a 1-1 draw in Japan two years ago.
Among them, Thanh Binh was the one who scored the goal for coach Moriyasu's team. Thanh Binh's partner at that time, Viet Anh, was also involved in the dispute that led to the goal of the Vietnamese team.
In coach Park Hang-seo's 3-center-back formation that caused Japan to share points that year, only center-back Que Ngoc Hai was absent from this Asian Cup.
Goalkeeper Nguyen Manh, who started that match, will not be able to go to Qatar this year, but Nguyen Filip will be the replacement that coach Troussier will like.
On the two wings that year, coach Park Hang-seo used Tan Tai and Van Thanh. These were also the names that coach Troussier called up to prepare for the upcoming match against Japan.
The two central midfielders selected in 2022 are Tuan Anh and Hung Dung. At this time, Tuan Anh is likely to start with Thai Son more than Hung Dung.
On the attack line, coach Park Hang-seo has given Cong Phuong, Quang Hai and Tuan Hai the starting positions. At this time, except for Cong Phuong, Quang Hai and Tuan Hai are still in coach Troussier's calculations.
Quang Hai even scored a goal to defeat the Japanese Olympic team at the ASIAD in 2018. That year, the Vietnamese Olympic team defeated the Japanese Olympic team (who used the U21 squad at the ASIAD) thanks to Quang Hai's only goal and finished first in Group D.
In the squad of the Vietnam Olympic team, also led by coach Park Hang-seo, in addition to Quang Hai, there are Duy Manh, Van Thanh, Van Toan, Hung Dung. These are all names that coach Troussier has included in the list of 26 players attending the 2023 Asian Cup.
The presence of veterans, living witnesses of the historic draw, will help the Vietnamese team to cause another surprise for Japan. The opponent may be of a higher level, but as coach Troussier once encouraged his players, they can create miracles if they focus and play to their full potential.
Coach Troussier currently has mature, battle-hardened players. In addition, he has also planned to add to the squad young players whose abilities have been proven. They have talent, they just need to be given the opportunity to develop their confidence and desire.
The Vietnamese team really needs luck if they want to create a miracle against their current opponent Japan./.
