Indonesian newspaper calls for exploiting Vietnam's 'easily provoked nature' at World Cup qualifiers

Poor fitness was one of the reasons for Vietnam's failure at the 2023 Asian Cup, the Indonesian publication said.

"Philippe Troussier's style of play relies on high intensity. When not in possession, players must constantly move to get the ball back from the opponent."

The Frenchman has himself admitted that Vietnam can only maintain their high intensity for 60 to 70 minutes and often run out of steam towards the end of a game.

In the Asian Cup group stage game against Indonesia, Vietnam let Marselino Ferdinan dribble from his own half past three players, leading to Le Pham Thanh Long fouling him and getting sent off with a second yellow card.

In the game against Iraq, Vietnam lost in the second half stoppage time through a penalty after an exhausted Vo Minh Trong fouled Youssef Amyn in the box.

Under Troussier, Vietnam have experienced a streak of seven losses in their last eight matches.

Besides the three defeats in Qatar, Vietnam lost 0-2 to China and Uzbekistan and 0-6 to South Korea in friendly matches in October 2023.

At the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in November the team won 2-0 against Philippines before losing 0-1 to Iraq after conceding a goal in the dying minutes.

Bola said Vietnamese players might be haunted by their recent poor form, a factor that could benefit Indonesia when the two teams meet again in March in the qualifiers.

Coach Shin Tae-yong's squad "must exploit the tough playing style and easily provoked nature" of Vietnamese players, it said.

Vietnam coach Philippe Troussier on the sideline of the Asian Cup game against Indonesia in Qatar on Jan. 19, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Lam Thoa

At the 2023 Asian Cup two Vietnamese players, both inexperienced, received red cards, Thanh Long against Indonesia and Khuat Van Khang against Iraq.

But this weakness might be addressed as experienced players Que Ngoc Hai, Nguyen Tien Linh, Nguyen Hoang Duc, and Nguyen Thanh Chung return from injury.

Besides, Troussier is under pressure to achieve results.

In group F of the World Cup qualifiers, Vietnam lie second with three points, two points ahead of Indonesia.

The two play on March 21 at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Central Jakarta, Indonesia, and on March 26 at My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi. The outcome of these matches could decide who advances early to the third round.

To prepare for the two important matches, Indonesia have continued to naturalize players, including striker Ragnar Oratmangoen (Fortuna Sittard, Netherlands), midfielder Thom Haye and defender Nathan Tjoe-A-On (SC Heerenveen, Netherlands) and goalkeeper Maarten Paes (FC Dallas, USA).

The team had eight naturalized players at the Asian Cup: defenders Jordi Amat, Elkan Baggott, Sandy Walsh, Shayne Pattynama, and Justin Hubner, midfielders Marc Klok and Ivar Jenner and striker Rafael Struick.

Shin plans to visit the Netherlands for two weeks to scout for players of Indonesian descent.

"We need to make more use of these players," he told South Korean football site Best Eleven. "I think there are better players, but it's not easy to find them as they get little playing time at their clubs."