oach Velizar Popov of Dong A Thanh Hoa recently shared his thoughts on the development of Vietnamese football, emphasizing the importance of a possession-based style of play. In his interview, Popov addressed the challenges and opportunities for Vietnamese players in adopting a modern, ball-control philosophy, especially when facing stronger opponents.
When asked about former Vietnam national team coach Philippe Troussier’s unsuccessful attempts to implement a possession-based style, Popov offered a clear perspective:
“For me, that is the only way forward and the future of modern football. If you want to compete with the strongest teams, you need to know how to play with the ball. There is only one ball on the field, and if you can control it, you control everything – you control the opponent’s movement, and you manage their fitness because chasing the ball for an entire match will wear them out quickly, giving them no time to rest.”
The Bulgarian coach elaborated on the tactical and physical benefits of ball possession. By holding the ball, teams can dictate the rhythm of the match while managing their workload efficiently. Popov explained: “For example, you can keep the ball on the right flank for a minute using a rondo system with three to five players, allowing players on the opposite wing to rest. Similarly, when switching play, you provide another group of players a moment to recover. Controlling the ball in your defensive area also gives your attackers time to rest and prepare for explosive attacking moves.”
Popov argued that intelligent ball control allows teams to manipulate the opponent’s positioning, opening spaces in their defensive setup. He believes this approach is far superior to reactive, defensive football:
“If you play smart and keep the ball as long as possible, you can control everything. You can move opponents how you want and exploit gaps in their defensive structure. You simply cannot achieve this with passive defensive football. In such a setup, you’re constantly chasing the ball and maintaining a tight defensive shape for 90 minutes, which is extremely difficult physically. Tactically, you’re also powerless without the ball, as you depend entirely on the opponent’s technical ability. If they are skilled and make no mistakes, you’ll have no chance.”
Popov sees great potential in the technical ability of Vietnamese players, particularly among the younger generation. He remains optimistic about Vietnam’s footballing future if they embrace a ball-control philosophy:
“There are many technically gifted players in Vietnam right now, especially among the youth. The future is bright if you pursue this style of football. If you stick to long balls, counterattacks, or set-piece opportunities, you’ll struggle against stronger, more physical opponents. The only chance you have is to play with the ball.”
Coach Popov’s insights highlight the need for a strategic shift in Vietnamese football. By focusing on possession and intelligent play, Vietnamese teams can compete more effectively on the international stage, unlocking their full potential.
Leave a Reply