Does Vietnam not have any players of continental level?

The French coach affirmed, “We have to go one step further to reach the Asian level. Our problem in Vietnam is that we have not made a breakthrough beyond the regional level!”. The most specific and vivid evidence is that in the 3rd qualifying round of the 2022 World Cup in Asia, the Vietnamese team lost 8/10 matches (only one win against China and 1 draw against Japan). The obvious reason is that the Vietnamese players lack experience, knowledge, support tools and media to compete in this decisive round.

Obviously, the frank and specific comments just mentioned by the French coach are completely based on reality, of course, about 11-a-side men's football. And that is the reason, the reason why the "White Witch" was trusted with the task of starting to build a new style of play, a new philosophy for Vietnamese football to "go beyond the region", specifically to reach the continental level. The specific task is to come here to participate and achieve good results in the 3rd qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup in Asia, when the tournament has the opportunity to expand the number of participating teams from 32 to 48 teams.

Currently, looking at the Vietnamese players playing at home and abroad, Mr. Troussier's comment is completely "correct". The factors that have played and are playing abroad do not have enough "data" to prove or refute the coach. Quang Hai only played in the French Second Division and has now returned home in disappointment. Van Toan, Cong Phuong... also cannot have the opportunity to develop their abilities when standing next to colleagues who are superior in all professional indicators. Remember, meanwhile, the Thais have done more than us with the specific achievements of Chanathip or Theerathon and many other factors in the top leagues in Japan, Korea or Europe, although currently some players have passed the peak of their careers and returned to the Thai League.

Of course, in the past, Vietnamese football had been ignited at different levels of “continental level” for individuals and groups. For example, player Hong Son won the title of Best Asian Player in August 1998 thanks to his brilliant performance at the Tiger Cup that year. Then, Thach Bao Khanh’s goal against Singapore at the Tiger Cup 2004 was voted the best goal in Asia in December 2004. Defender Huynh Quang Thanh was voted into the Asian Team of the Year, the best right-back in Asia after the Vietnam team reached the quarter-finals at the ASIAN Cup 2007. Center-back Vu Nhu Thanh was nominated for the Asian Golden Ball award after shining with the Vietnam team to win the AFF Cup 2008. Goalkeeper Duong Hong Son was voted the Best Southeast Asian Player in the above-mentioned historic achievement of Mr. Calistore and his team. Notably, recently, Que Ngoc Hai was one of two names in the region to be voted for the best 11 players in the history of the ASIAN Cup... Many people still cannot forget the story of Van Quyen in 2003 who scored the only goal in the unexpected victory of the Vietnam National Team against the top team in the continent, Korea, in the 2004 ASIAN Cup Qualifiers. The U23 Vietnam team in Changzhou 2018 and the victories of Vietnamese football against teams from Central Asia, West Asia... are also unforgettable milestones in history.

In general, the above marks only stop at outstanding individuals, are only temporary, unstable, decisive for a tournament or a sustainability, the class needed for a team against the top opponents of the continent. Vietnamese football still faces difficulties and is lower in many indicators when compared to Thailand. When competing in the 3rd qualifying round of the World Cup, the Thais achieved it twice, while Vietnam only achieved it once, although having a record of 1 win is something the Thais have not been able to do.

Returning to Mr. Troussier's comment on the story "Vietnam does not have any continental talent", to see that there is living data that needs to be "supplemented" to this perception as mentioned above. And in the future, when Filip Nguyen completes his naturalization and is called up to the national team by the French coach, for example, what he once affirmed will... gradually be wrong? After Filip Nguyen, there may be many other talents joining the Vietnam National Team as an inevitable trend, and Vietnam is a slow-moving country, behind and does not consider it a key solution. Because youth training in Vietnam is constantly progressing, constantly improving as evidenced by the U17, U19, U20 teams that are "debuting" recently, for example. Because from the beginning, we agree with the French coach that "building the national team, the strength of the national team is based on solidarity and collective, instead of relying on individuals".

To advance to the 2026 World Cup, Mr. Troussier has "planned" 60-70 names as the basis for the selection process of the most suitable squad to serve the goal of raising the level, surpassing the regional level that he once mentioned. There is enough time and force for the active competition process, there is a fundamental, long-term solution for the striving process, there is successful practice in many countries under the "White Witch", so that the teacher can completely and completely resolve the story of continental-level players and the solution of collective strength and solidarity to create victory.

Think carefully to see that, that is the traditional strength of the Vietnamese people, forged from history and tradition. The problem is knowing how to promote and multiply that potential strength in each individual, each match, each tournament to truly raise the level, surpass the level not only in the field of football…/.

Bui Hoa