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 letting the opponent take the lead early, the "golden star warriors" surprised everyone with 2 consecutive goals by 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 adhered to good tactical and tactical discipline, 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 an overall part of the 3 group stage matches in this year's tournament. We aim to continue to the knockout round.

Even if Vietnam wins today or Japan wins, it doesn't guarantee which team will advance. This match doesn't have a knockout meaning, so we have to put it in the context of all three 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 team with the best group stage performance, 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 fulfilling his duties as 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 their home field.

Before the match, I also thoroughly informed the players about off-ball defense, when having the ball, we must concentrate and not lose the ball in unnecessary situations. We all know how dangerous Japan is, when losing 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./.