Vietnam team and the mindset of 'know yourself and your enemy'

The Korean coach only truly trusts players that he and his team have a thorough understanding of, have "suffered hardships" through previous stages, and are suitable for the team's way of operating when facing different opponents.

From the above “theory”, it is not difficult to guess which “cards” will be used.Coach Park Hang-seowill be deployed in the upcoming matches against the Chinese and Oman national teams. In goal, goalkeeper Tan Truong will be trusted after what he has shown in the V. League and in recent matches of the Vietnam national team. The reserve for Tan Truong could be Nguyen Manh if he needs someone with experience, or Van Toan if he is thinking long-term for the U23 Vietnam team.

Dinh Trong and other players who have just returned from injury all completed the first training session of the Vietnamese team in the UAE. Photo: VFF.

The three central defenders are still familiar names: Ngoc Hai, Tien Dung, Duy Manh, along with Thanh Chung and Dinh Trong, who will take turns shouldering the responsibility. The wingers Van Thanh and Hong Duy will start for the first time with a heavy task. The problem is that if there is a need to add or change, who will be replaced is raising many questions. Meanwhile, the midfield also has little room for new elements, because Quang Hai, Hoang Duc, Van Duc or Tuan Anh, Xuan Truong, Duc Huy are always trusted. The attack line is quite abundant with Tien Linh, Duc Chinh, Van Toan and especially Cong Phuong returning with much hope...

Also in “theory”, the matches against China and Oman are considered easier than the other opponents in the third qualifying round of the Vietnam national team. But it seems that the reality will not be simple, when Oman national team once won against the classy Japan national team with a score of 1-0 and China national team, although also lost 2 matches, although it is said to be under some pressure and psychological tension, is not a “delicious bait” for the Vietnam national team. Good physique, good physical strength, many naturalized stars, some players playing in Europe and when in a corner, if the Chinese national team plays to its true potential, it will be a big obstacle for the Vietnam national team.

Vietnam team in the first training session on the UAE field. Photo: VFF

For a long time, the media has been trying to "provoke" the historic confrontation on the football field between Vietnam and China, making it really hot. The players from both sides also showed great determination every time they had the opportunity to speak to the press, making fans even more excited to wait for the match.

The question is who will be able to “figure out” who, first of all from the technical areas of the two teams. Vietnamese experts and fans can understand the inside story of the coaching staff.Vietnam National TeamBut with the Chinese coaching staff, that is impossible. So does the Vietnamese coaching staff and the Korean "staff" have enough information to grasp about head coach Li Tie and his staff and do they have the "cards" to counter the opponent? When and only when the Vietnamese coaching staff is confident in their abilities, ready to deal with all developments on the field, and maximize the abilities of both the team and each individual player... then the match will go in a direction that is beneficial to the Vietnamese team. In the opposite situation, when they cannot "overwhelm" the opponent, the Vietnamese team can be pressured, even tense, lose the game and the consequences will be unpredictable.

The Vietnam team is ready. Photo: baotintuc

Therefore, we must both understand and take measures to prevent our opponents from playing the way they want, and at the same time build and stabilize the psychological foundation for the whole team, so that they can enter the match confidently without being subjective, comfortable without getting carried away, forcing the opponent to receive one surprise after another and as a result, losing themselves. Of course, it is easy to say but extremely difficult to do, so we must cherish every ball, every coordination and every finishing blow. A confident player who handles the ball reasonably and freely will inspire his teammates to play freely. Quang Hai or Cong Phuong creating a "super product" will give his teammates more motivation to seek new successes. That is the spreading effect, inspiring many times starting from one person, to create success for a collective, a team.

Obviously, the Vietnam team is eager to enter the match, eager to score in the next 2 matches. Hopefully that will be maintained until the end of both matches despite the many difficulties and challenges. In fact, those are 2 matches with "nothing to lose" and many people know that the goal is "to get points", not necessarily to get 3 points at all costs. If the Vietnam team forces the powerful neighbor to share points, it is also acceptable if we look forward to the fact that we were once led by a very large distance of 0-6!

In short, the main thing is to create a confident, relaxed mindset, knowing yourself and others to go the long way, never being impatient or hasty, which can cause everything to fall apart. Who knows, from that solid foundation, the Vietnam National Team will be able to do something greater and more sustainable in the future./.