Vietnamese players in a training session on January 11. Vietnam will play against Japan on January 14 in the Asian Cup's Group D opener.( Photo courtesy of VFF) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Despite facing Asian powerhouseJapan in their opening match of the 2023 Asian Cup on January 14, head coachPhilippe Troussier believed his side can cause an upset.
Troussier has opted for a mix of experience and youth with his26-player squad selection for the tournament in Qatar.
He has put his trust in veteran defenders Do Duy Mạnh and Ho Tan Tai,midfielders Do Hung Dung and Nguyen Quang Hai, and forward Nguyen Van Toan.
But he has also opted for young talents too, selecting defender VoMinh Trong, midfielder Khuat Van Khang and striker Pham Tuan Hai.
There are also fresh faces in the squad with goalkeeper NguyenFilip and defender Giap Tuan Duong called up for the first time.
Troussier's selection has made Vietnam one of the four youngestsquads in the competition which began on January 12 with hosts Qatar taking onLebanon in Lusail City.
During training ahead of the opening match, Troussier instructedhis players to work hard and play with focus and determination.
He also met with his coaching team to analyse all rivals in GroupD, especially Japan. They also closely reviewed Vietnam's 2-1 loss toKyrgyzstan in a friendly on January 9.
Troussier expressed his confidence in the progress of the team andsaid that all his players in Qatar are ready to implement Vietnam's playingstyle.
"At the 2023 Asian Cup, the opponents are consideredstronger, but winning against Vietnam is not easy. Vietnam never gives up.Let's keep that spirit when we enter the tournament," Troussier said.
He said the Asian Cup was totally different from other events inthe Southeast Asian region. Players needed to try harder, give more effort andespecially believe in each other and the preparation of the team, making Vietnama unified squad.
"I want players to be proactive in all situations, beconfident when they have and control the ball, and don't wait for a moment ofbrilliance or for mistakes from rivals," he said.
"Against Japan, we may lose to them nine times out of 10matches, but we might beat them once. Who knows if it will be this one."
Troussier is the only coach at this tournament to have previouslywon the Asian Cup.
He led Japan to victory in 2000, beating Saudi Arabia in thefinal. He was also voted coach of the year by the Asian Football Confederation.
Japan completed their preparations in style after beating Jordan6-1 in a behind-closed-doors friendly match on January 9.
Head coach Hajime Moriyasu used the opportunity to give his squadplaying time with two completely different sets of teams fielded either side ofthe break.
"It was positive that we could check our concept as a teamboth in attack and defence,” said Moriyasu, who believes a record-extendingfifth title is within reach.
Missing from Japan's squad are some big names, but Moriyasu saidhe has "assembled the best members to win", with the Samurai Bluelast lifting the AFC Asian Cup in 2011.
"I've been saying we'll look to win the Asian Cup aftersetting our short and mid-term targets, as well as the long-term target that isthe 2026 World Cup," Moriyasu talked to Kyodo News.
"There are no easy opponents nor is it an easy tournament, sono changes there from the last to this one. The difference I have is alingering frustration from missing out on the title last time, and also thedesire to grind out results in Asia as we've set a high target of winning onthe world stage."
Japan are unbeaten in their last 10 matches in all competitionsand have scored a minimum of five goals in each of their last four games./.
Troussier has opted for a mix of experience and youth with his26-player squad selection for the tournament in Qatar.
He has put his trust in veteran defenders Do Duy Mạnh and Ho Tan Tai,midfielders Do Hung Dung and Nguyen Quang Hai, and forward Nguyen Van Toan.
But he has also opted for young talents too, selecting defender VoMinh Trong, midfielder Khuat Van Khang and striker Pham Tuan Hai.
There are also fresh faces in the squad with goalkeeper NguyenFilip and defender Giap Tuan Duong called up for the first time.
Troussier's selection has made Vietnam one of the four youngestsquads in the competition which began on January 12 with hosts Qatar taking onLebanon in Lusail City.
During training ahead of the opening match, Troussier instructedhis players to work hard and play with focus and determination.
He also met with his coaching team to analyse all rivals in GroupD, especially Japan. They also closely reviewed Vietnam's 2-1 loss toKyrgyzstan in a friendly on January 9.
Troussier expressed his confidence in the progress of the team andsaid that all his players in Qatar are ready to implement Vietnam's playingstyle.
"At the 2023 Asian Cup, the opponents are consideredstronger, but winning against Vietnam is not easy. Vietnam never gives up.Let's keep that spirit when we enter the tournament," Troussier said.
He said the Asian Cup was totally different from other events inthe Southeast Asian region. Players needed to try harder, give more effort andespecially believe in each other and the preparation of the team, making Vietnama unified squad.
"I want players to be proactive in all situations, beconfident when they have and control the ball, and don't wait for a moment ofbrilliance or for mistakes from rivals," he said.
"Against Japan, we may lose to them nine times out of 10matches, but we might beat them once. Who knows if it will be this one."
Troussier is the only coach at this tournament to have previouslywon the Asian Cup.
He led Japan to victory in 2000, beating Saudi Arabia in thefinal. He was also voted coach of the year by the Asian Football Confederation.
Japan completed their preparations in style after beating Jordan6-1 in a behind-closed-doors friendly match on January 9.
Head coach Hajime Moriyasu used the opportunity to give his squadplaying time with two completely different sets of teams fielded either side ofthe break.
"It was positive that we could check our concept as a teamboth in attack and defence,” said Moriyasu, who believes a record-extendingfifth title is within reach.
Missing from Japan's squad are some big names, but Moriyasu saidhe has "assembled the best members to win", with the Samurai Bluelast lifting the AFC Asian Cup in 2011.
"I've been saying we'll look to win the Asian Cup aftersetting our short and mid-term targets, as well as the long-term target that isthe 2026 World Cup," Moriyasu talked to Kyodo News.
"There are no easy opponents nor is it an easy tournament, sono changes there from the last to this one. The difference I have is alingering frustration from missing out on the title last time, and also thedesire to grind out results in Asia as we've set a high target of winning onthe world stage."
Japan are unbeaten in their last 10 matches in all competitionsand have scored a minimum of five goals in each of their last four games./.
VNA
