As the Vietnam national football team gears up for their crucial match against Japan in the AFC Asian Cup 2023, Head Coach Philippe Troussier expressed pride and awareness of the tournament’s significance. “We are proud to be here. The AFC Asian Cup, a quadrennial continental tournament, garners significant attention,” Troussier stated. He acknowledged that despite commencing preparations only on December 31st, most of the team’s readiness comes from club-level play where players engage in regular weekly matches.
Midfielder Do Hung Dung, attending for the second time, highlighted the team’s evolution and the opportunity for young players to showcase their skills. Despite several injuries, Dung remains optimistic about achieving a favorable outcome with the current lineup.
Responding to a question about Japan’s team facing player absences, Coach Troussier remarked, “Japan is a strong team with many players in European leagues. To succeed, we must play beyond our 100% capability. Regardless of the result against a World Cup-experienced team like Japan, our preparation process remains effective. Each match is a learning opportunity to better prepare for future victories.”
About 20 years ago, while working in Japan, Troussier observed similar curiosity about Japanese players in Europe. He emphasized the importance of hard work and teamwork in establishing a team’s reputation. He candidly admitted the Vietnamese players’ lack of high-intensity and frequent competition but is confident that their performance in the upcoming match will answer any questions about their capabilities.
As the Vietnam team faces a formidable opponent in Japan, their determination and strategic preparations under Coach Troussier’s guidance will be key to their performance in this highly anticipated match.
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