“Fans Disappointed in Coach Troussier as Vietnam National Team Struggles: A Comparison to Coach Park Hang-seo’s Legacy”
The defeat of the Vietnam National Team against Indonesia in the World Cup 2026 Group F match has left fans questioning coach Philippe Troussier’s leadership. With this loss marking the 9th in the last 10 games for the Golden Star Warriors, discontent has reached its peak. Errors in tactics, a conservative approach, and questionable player selection are cited as reasons for the team’s current crisis.
Taking over from Park Hang-seo more than a year ago, Troussier’s impact has been lackluster. Vietnam has slipped from 94th to 112th in the FIFA rankings, losing its top spot in Southeast Asia and suffering two defeats to Indonesia, a rare occurrence since 2016. The football scene in Vietnam seems to be in a state of turmoil.
Fans now fondly remember Park Hang-seo’s tenure, which yielded remarkable achievements, including an AFF Cup victory, a U23 Asian Finals runner-up spot, an Asiad fourth-place finish, two SEA Games gold medals, and an AFF Cup runner-up position in 2022. Park’s success over five years was no fluke but a testament to his strategic acumen.
Critics argue that Park’s success was due to a talented player pool, a luxury Troussier allegedly lacks during this transitional phase. However, the current crop of talented Vietnamese players such as Quang Hai, Hoang Duc, Tien Linh, and Van Toan have proven their worth under Park’s guidance, suggesting Troussier’s struggle is more about strategic shortcomings rather than player quality.
Moreover, the V-League has seen improvements over the years, enhancing the overall quality of Vietnamese football. Troussier should have capitalized on the strong foundation laid by Park instead of a rebuild, which has drawn criticism for being antiquated and regressive.
The Vietnam Football Federation’s quest for a visionary coach to propel the national team forward, as evidenced by their ambition to reach the World Cup finals in 2026 or 2030, highlights the need for a strategic overhaul. Despite all that has transpired, fans are disillusioned with the current state of affairs, lamenting Troussier’s failures and longing for Park’s successful reign.
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