Coach Troussier explains why he did not use Ho Tan Tai in the 2023 Asian Cup

"I'm sorry I haven't been able to use you properly in this tournament," coach Philippe Troussier told Ho Tan Tai privately before the Vietnamese team left Qatar to return home.

The Hanoi Police Club player was called up to replace an injured teammate. At the 2023 Asian Cup, Ho Tan Tai did not play a single minute. During the friendly period as well as the first matches of the Vietnam team in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, the 1997-born defender was not a choice trusted by Coach Troussier.

Coach Troussier explains the reason for not using Ho Tan Tai in the 2023 Asian Cup.

However, the French coach still opened the opportunity for Ho Tan Tai in the Vietnam national team. Coach Troussier highly appreciated the spirit of this player and planned to test and use him in the coming time. The head coach of the Vietnam national team allowed Ho Tan Tai to consider developing himself in the positions of central midfielder, right center back and right back.

" As for the right wing position, I still leave the opportunity open for everyone. Try your best," coach Troussier told Ho Tan Tai.

He added: "I appreciate your attitude and efforts in training. In any position, any task, you always try to perform well. Due to objective conditions regarding preparation time for the tournament, I have not been able to give you the opportunity."

In the 2023 Asian Cup, Coach Troussier used 3 players in the right-back position. Pham Xuan Manh was the French coach's number one priority even though this player was rarely used during the previous period. Vu Van Thanh and Truong Tien Anh were Coach Troussier's backup options for the right-back position of the defense.

Meanwhile, in the right center-back position, Mr. Troussier used Nguyen Thanh Binh when Do Duy Manh had not reached the ideal state after recovering from injury. Ho Tan Tai could not compete in the central midfielder position when he had just gotten used to this role recently at the Hanoi Police Club, while the Vietnamese team had many other factors in the midfield.

Han Phong

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