Vietnam National Team suffers heavy defeat to Indonesia: World Cup 2026 qualification in jeopardy

The Vietnam national team faced a daunting 0-3 loss against Indonesia on home turf at My Dinh Stadium, dealing a severe blow to their 2026 World Cup qualifying hopes. With the road to the third qualifying round looking bleaker, coach Philippe Troussier faced the axe from the VFF due to the disappointing performance, signaling a need for change within the squad as well.

Despite their best efforts, the Vietnamese team struggled to make an impact against Indonesia, failing to capitalize on chances even after conceding two early goals. Striker Nguyen Tien Linh, in particular, came under scrutiny for his lackluster display, with former player Nguyen Manh Dung harshly criticizing his performance. Dung remarked that Linh appeared lackluster, no longer possessing the drive and skill that once defined his game, leading to missed opportunities and a general sense of ineffectiveness on the field.

The defeat against Indonesia not only highlighted the shortcomings in individual performances but also raised concerns about the team’s overall strategy and cohesion. As the players grapple with the aftermath of the loss, the pressure is on to regroup and address the issues that contributed to the disappointing result.

The decision to part ways with Coach Troussier underscores the urgent need for a fresh approach and renewed focus within the national team setup. While there are challenges ahead in salvaging their World Cup qualifying campaign, there is still time for Vietnam to reassess and make the necessary adjustments to bounce back stronger in the competitions to come.

As the dust settles on a difficult match against Indonesia, the Vietnamese national team faces a critical juncture in their journey towards the 2026 World Cup. With changes on the horizon and tough lessons to be learned, the players and staff must rally together to overcome adversity and strive for a brighter future on the international stage.