Coach Troussier calls 31 players for SEA Games 32
PVF - CAND, the team playing in the First Division, contributed the most troops (5), followed by Hanoi FC (4). Hanoi police and Viettel together have three players. It is expected that the team will gather in Ba Ria - Vung Tau from April 16, practice for 10 days and then fly to Cambodia.
Due to the short focus time, Coach Troussier prioritized summoning familiar faces. They are mostly the factors who have been with him through four training sessions and played the friendly tournament U23 Dubai Cup in March. The French leader also gave the opportunity to some outstanding young players in the U20 Vietnam squad. Attended the 2023 Asian U20 final but did not participate in the previous gatherings, such as goalkeeper Cao Van Binh, defender Ho Van Cuong, midfielders Nguyen Duc Phu, Dinh Xuan Tien and striker Bui Vi Hao.
Due to a number of players entangled in competing in professional football tournaments in Vietnam and in the National U19 qualifiers, the team won't have enough troops until May 1.
At the end of the training session in Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Coach Troussier will close 23 registrations with the 32nd SEA Games organizers. At this year's congress, Vietnam is in Group B, meeting Laos on April 30, respectively. Singapore May 3, Malaysia May 8 and Thailand May 11.
The SEA Games football gold medal used to be a long-lasting desire for Vietnam, before it was terminated in 2019 under the guidance of Coach Park Hang-seo. At the 2022 SEA Games, the Korean leader again helped Vietnam successfully defend the gold medal when defeating Thailand 1-0 in the final at My Dinh Stadium.
On January 31, Coach Park expired his contract and bid farewell to the Vietnamese teams. The person chosen to replace was coach Troussier, who used to lead Ivory Coast, Nigeria or Japan teams. The French military leader said his goal is to defend the gold medal at the 32nd SEA Games.
According to many experts, Troussier faces more difficulties than his predecessor Park when he first took office, because the current force is not strong, most of the players have not won the main kick in the V-League or the First Class. Moreover, the upcoming tournament does not allow teams to strengthen over-aged players. Previously, in the two times Vietnam was crowned, the selected over-aged players such as Nguyen Trong Hoang, Do Hung Dung, Nguyen Hoang Duc, Nguyen Tien Linh all had a great influence on gameplay and achievements.
