Van Toan: 'Vietnam will play well in the 2023 Asian Cup'

At the 2023 Asian Cup, Vietnam is in Group D with the defending runner-up Japan, Iraq and Indonesia. Van Toan feels the difficulty against strong opponents, but believes the team will overcome this challenge.

"I believe Vietnam will achieve good results," Van Toan told Best Eleven. "We already have experience in the Asian Cup."

In the 2019 period in the UAE, Vietnam passed a difficult group with Iran, Iraq and Yemen, then defeated Jordan in the 1/8 round before losing 0-1 to Japan in the quarterfinals. Until now, Van Toan still regrets the loss to Japan - a match where Vietnam lost only one goal because of a penalty with the help of VAR technology. Van Toan also participated in this match, entering the field in the second half and missing a chance to equalize for Vietnam.

"I personally as well as my teammates learned a lot from that match," Van Toan said.

The 2023 Asian Cup is the first official tournament of the Vietnamese team led by the new coach Philippe Troussier, after Park Hang-seo. Despite many doubts, Van Toan believes in a new wind in the team.

"I have not met and do not know Troussier's football well," said Van Toan. "But football is always changing. Players need to adapt to the new coach's style of play and play well."

The Vietnamese team gathered for the first time under the French coach in early March for five days. Van Toan, Cong Phuong and Quang Hai are the stars who are absent due to playing abroad. In mid-June, the second gathering will take place and follow the FIFA Days schedule. Van Toan is expected to return to the team on this occasion.

After the 2022 season, Van Toan left HAGL to join Seoul E-Land FC in K-League 2. He played a total of seven matches with 253 minutes, having one assist in the 6-0 win against Bucheon 1995 in the second round of the Cup. country on March 29.

The striker born in 1996 can play more if he does not have an ankle injury right at the training session on March 30. Van Toan had to rest at the end of April, missing seven matches. He returned from May 3 when playing the last seven minutes of the 2-1 win against Gyeongnam FC in K-League 2.

Tomorrow 20/5, Van Toan and Seoul E-Land welcomed Bucheon 1995. After 12 matches, the team won four, drew two, lost six and ranked 9th with 14 points. Meanwhile, Bucheon 1995 has 22 points and is ranked third.