Coach Troussier: 'Vietnam team aims to be the third-placed team with the best results'

The Vietnamese team had a good performance in the opening match of Group D - Asian Cup 2023. Although the opponent took the lead early, the "golden star warriors" surprised everyone with 2 consecutive goals from Dinh Bac and Tuan Hai to lead 2-1.

Unfortunately, with the superior level of the Japanese team, the Vietnamese team lost with a final score of 4-2.

Sharing after the match, coach Troussier said: I am satisfied with today's match. If we consider Japan's recent ranking and form, it can be said that they are the giant that the Vietnamese team has to face, so my players were a bit surprised and overwhelmed by the pressure from the opponent in the first minutes of the match.

However, in the remaining time, the players followed the discipline of the game and tactics well, and maintained their determination until the last minutes. In short, I am very satisfied with what the whole team showed.

Talking about the goal for the next matches, coach Troussier affirmed: I also consider the match with Japan as a part of the overall 3 group stage matches in this year's tournament. We aim to go to the knockout round.

Even if Vietnam wins today or Japan wins, it does not guarantee which team will advance. This match does not have knockout significance, so we have to consider the whole of these 3 group stage matches.

With Vietnam scoring 2 goals and not receiving any cards, I think a 2-4 loss is much more beneficial than losing by 2 goals, for example 0-2. In short, we still aim to go on as the 3rd best team in the group stage, or even better, second place.

Evaluating goalkeeper Nguyen Filip's performance, the French strategist said: "This is Nguyen Filip's first match in the Vietnam national team, so I feel he will be under a bit of pressure. However, Nguyen Filip performed well, even making 3 to 4 important saves.

Not only completing the task of a goalkeeper, Nguyen Filip also supported his teammates well in the front line in controlling the ball, while showing the opponent that Vietnam was not in a hurry or under any pressure from Japan right from home field.

Before the match, I also thoroughly informed the players about the aspect of off-ball defense. When having the ball, we must concentrate and not lose the ball in unnecessary situations. We all know the danger of Japan. When we lose the ball, it will not be easy to get it back from them."

Despite the 2-4 defeat, this was a commendable performance by the Vietnamese team and the young players discovered and given opportunities by coach Troussier such as Thai Son, Dinh Bac, and Minh Trong all played impressively.

On January 18, the Vietnamese team will enter the second match against Indonesia, which can be considered the decisive match for coach Philippe Troussier and his team to advance./.