Vietnam

With their fifth appearance in the Asian Cup, Vietnam are steadily emerged as a formidable force in football in Southeast Asia and beyond.

What to expect

During qualification, the Vietnamese showcased their prowess by securing a second-place finish behind the United Arab Emirates in Group G of the first round. However, they did not enjoy a good 2023, with defeat in the prestigious Suzuki Cup and setbacks against China and South Korea that showed there is room for improvement with manager Philippe Troussier.

A new year represents new opportunities with World Cup qualifiers, Olympic qualifiers, the AFF Cup and, above all, the Asian Cup.

In Doha, they will have their work cut out, opening against Japan, who eliminated Vietnam four years ago at the quarter final stage, and facing Iraq in the final group game. In between, they play Indonesia, but they know from experience that a single win can be enough to progress and write a fairy tale.

Four years ago, they were the tournament’s dark horses reaching the last eight, surrendering to a Ritsu Doan penalty. At a crossroads and with injury concerns in the squad, repeating that feat will be much harder this time around.

Star player

Nguyen Quang Hai (pictured) is the leading scorer in the squad playing as an attacking midfielder or winger for V.League 1 club Cong An Ha Noi and the Vietnam national team. He is Vietnam’s highest player having returned to his hime country having played a year in France’s Ligue 2 with Pau. Goals can prove elusive for Vietnam but a competitor for Vietnam’s Golden Ball, Pham Tuan Hai, knows how to find the back of the net with his club Hanoi FC but has yet to replicate the form for the national team.

Manager 

Early in 2023, Frenchman Philippe Troussier succeeded the beloved South Korean Park Hang Seo to become the first coach with World Cup experience to lead Vietnam.

The Frenchman is a household name and won the Asian Cup with Japan in 2000. Throw in his experience with Vietnam’s U-19 and U-23 teams and he should be the perfect fit. Yet, results to date have been mixed with a recent 6-0 trashing by South Korea casting further doubts over his suitability for the role.

He is seeking to play a possession-based game with more youngsters in the squad. Just a handful of players from that quarter-final four years ago will make it to Qatar. At the same time, Troussier has been restricted by injuries with number one goalkeeper Dang Van Lam, defender Nguyen Thanh Chung and midfielder Hoang Van Toan among those not selected.

Schedule 

Sunday, January 14, 2024, 2:30 pm:  Japan – Vietnam – Al Thumama Stadium, Doha

Friday, January 19, 2024, 5:30 pm: Vietnam – Indonesia – Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha

Wednesday, January 24, 2024, 2:30 pm: Iraq – Vietnam – Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, Doha

Squad