Football

Philippe Troussier calls 34 players to prepare for the Asian Cup next month in Qatar. Photo of VFF

HÀ NỘI Philippe Troussier has called 34 players to prepare for the Asian Cup 2023 in Qatar next month.

The head coach makes up a list of three goalkeepers, 12 defenders, 13 midfielders and six strikers. Most players are those who participated in this year’s FIFA Days. But there are still freshmen: Nguyễn Filip, Lê Ngọc Bảo and Đỗ Thanh Thịnh, who are excited to make their debut.

Filip, who officially got his Vietnamese citizenship earlier this month, was proud to be member of the team.

He shared that after nine years (of completing document procedures) he now had Vietnamese nationality. It was his pride and a big step in his career. He hoped to receive opportunities to play in the Asian Cup and he would try his best to make supporters happy.

In the national team, Filip of Hà Nội Police FC trained and played nearly 10 years in Europe before deciding to play in Việt Nam. He will have to vie for his place against long-time keeper Đặng Văn Lâm who has proved his abilities since 2015 in front of the sheet.

Bảo and Thịnh are former national U23 defenders who won 30th SEA Games gold in 2019 in the Philippines.

While Thịnh is highly appreciated for his physical strength and his accurate passes, left-footed Bảo can manage the ball well and is good at launching attacks.

"It is like the moment when I won the 30th SEA Games with Việt Nam," Bảo said about his feeling when hearing his name through the Việt Nam Football Federation's livestream announcing the squad.

Filip Nguyễn is one of three goalkeepers named to the national team. Photo of Hà Nội Police

"I knew that I was named in the draft list but did not believe that Troussier would pick me this time. Recently, I tried to play my best and luckily, my effort was recognised. I can control the ball and coordinate well with teammates. I will try my best to win a position in the starting XI. I will not let people down."

Meanwhile midfielder Nguyễn Hai Long is back in the team after long time. Long was also a former player of U23 competing at the 2022 Asian Cup and won the 31st SEA Games. He will have to work hard to have a place in the midfield area against many stars such as Nguyễn Quang Hải, Nguyễn Hoàng Đức and Nguyễn Tuấn Anh.

"It's been a long time since I was called up to the national team. It feels like the first time," he said.

"Dedicating to the country is the highest goal of every player. I will try to meet the requirements. Being able to play for the national team is a big thing. I always try every day to have a chance. I will try to be on the official list for the Cup."

Troussier and his team will practise in Hà Nội from December 31 and will leave for Qatar on January 5.

Việt Nam will have a friendly match against Kyrgyzstan on January 9 before Troussier makes the final 26-player list.

Việt Nam are in Group D and will play Japan, Indonesia and Iraq on January 14, 19 and 23, respectively. VNS