Football

Vietnamese national team players will face Hong Kong in a friendly match during FIFA Days on June 15 at Hải Phòng City's Lạch Tray Stadium. — Photo toquoc.vn

Thanh Hà

HẢI PHÒNG — Philippe Troussier expects a win for Việt Nam in a friendly match against Hong Kong on June 15 as a good start for his debut with the national team at Lạch Tray Stadium in Hải Phòng City.

Troussier came to Việt Nam four months ago and won an SEA Games title with the U23 squad last month but the Hong Kong game will be his first official match with the senior team.

Speaking at a press conference on June 14, the French expert wanted to win both in terms of score and tactics so that Việt Nam will head to the 2026 World Cup qualification with confidence.

Defender Bùi Tiến Dũng (right) and midfielder Nguyễn Thanh Bình practise together on June 14.

"I appreciated the players' strong effort. They have gradually understood the way the team will work and play. They work hard and are really determined for the upcoming match. I am super satisfied with them," said Troussier. "Having only five days working with all the players, I have tried to work with them all so that they can be ready to play. With their ability and knowledge, I hope they will have good performance."

Asked about three players coming home from abroad, Troussier said midfielder Nguyễn Quang Hải was the first to join the team after separating from French side Pau Fc. After one week, Hải showed great effort to complete all the coaches' requirements.

Forwards Nguyễn Công Phượng and Nguyễn Văn Toàn came later due to their clubs' regulations about FIFA Days. But the duo both wanted to prove their ability with the new head coach.

Troussier said Việt Nam respects Hong Kong although the visiting side is much lower than the hosts in the world ranking.

Việt Nam is No. 95 while Hong Kong is No. 147.

Goalkeepers Nguyễn Văn Lâm and Trần Minh Triệu (right) practise at Lạch Tray.

"The power of a team is not on paper," said Troussier. "I know that Hong Kong will compete in the Asian Cup 2023 and prepare for the World Cup qualification too. We studied the video when Hong Kong played against Malaysia and Singapore to best prepare for this match. The team is full of desire and motivation to perform at their best. I respect the opponent and the Vietnamese team will try 200 per cent."

He confirmed that he wanted his players to deliver good tactics, cooperate and assist each other to lead to a winning result. A win would strengthen Việt Nam's playing style and tactics for later big events including the Asian Games and World Cup.

On the other side, coach Jorn Andersen of Hong Kong praised Việt Nam's quality, saying a match with a stronger team would help his squad have experience and sharpen their skills ahead of the AFC World Cup qualifier.

The Norwegian-German manager has watched Vietnamese football for years and knows the Golden Warriors' power. He was impressed by midfielder Hải and scorer Phượng who worked with him when they were coach and player at the South Korean club Incheon United in 2018-19.

Anderson said two important players on his team might not play in the Việt Nam match because of injuries. Meanwhile, his Nigerian-origin striker Michael Udebuluzor could not land in Việt Nam due to a passport issue.

Prior to the Việt Nam match, Hong Kong had a game with their U23 team and won 7-0. 

The Việt Nam vs Hong Kong match will be broadcast live on FPT Play platforms and VTV5 channel from 7:30pm.

In the past, two teams have played seven games, in which Việt Nam won five, drew one and lost one. — VNS