Hoang Duc admitted that he is not used to coach Troussier's playing style.

Hai Phong Before the friendly match with Hong Kong, midfielder Nguyen Hoang Duc said that the Vietnamese team still needs time to adapt to the tactics of new coach Philippe Troussier.

*Vietnam - Hong Kong: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 15, on VnExpress.

After five successful years with Coach Park Hang-seo, the Vietnam national team will embark on a new journey with Coach Troussier from a friendly match against Hong Kong at Lach Tray Stadium, Hai Phong. For veteran players like Hoang Duc, this will also be their first match under the direction of the French coach.

"After a week of training, the team is still getting used to Coach Troussier's new playing style," Hoang Duc said at a press conference on the afternoon of June 14. "The international friendly matches are an opportunity to test the training process. However, the team will play a good match and dedicate themselves to the fans."

Nguyen Hoang Duc attended the press conference before the Vietnam - Hong Kong match with coach Philippe Troussier. Photo: Lam Thoa — Nguyen Hoang Duc attended the press conference before the Vietnam - Hong Kong match with coach Philippe Troussier. Photo: *Lam Thoa*

Similar to Coach Park, Troussier's successor also let the team play in a 3-4-3 system. But instead of playing defensively and counter-attacking, the French coach wants the players to develop the ball from home, while increasing the pressure on the opponent and the speed of play. "Coach Park has a different style of play, now Coach Troussier pursues a different style. Therefore, we need time to adapt. The important thing is that the whole team must try," Hoang Duc added.

Hoang Duc is expected to fit in with Coach Troussier's new playing style, thanks to his ball control and good vision. At the AFF Cup 2022, he is also considered the most stable player on the Vietnamese side. Because Do Hung Dung is not in the training camp this time, Hoang Duc will pair up with another name in midfield.

Not only testing players and playing style, the series of international friendly matches is an opportunity for Vietnam to accumulate points on the FIFA ranking table - the basis for seeding before the draw for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Asia taking place in July.

Vietnam are unbeaten in nine home matches, including eight wins. Their most recent defeat was a 1-0 defeat to Oman on March 24, 2022, in the third round of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

The team also has the advantage over Hong Kong in head-to-head matches, winning five, drawing one and losing one. The most recent match took place on June 3, 2016, at a friendly tournament in Myanmar, when Vietnam was coached by Nguyen Huu Thang, while Hong Kong coached Kim Pan-gon, now the head coach of Malaysia. The two teams drew 2-2 in regulation time before Vietnam won 4-3 in the penalty shootout. In the final, Vietnam defeated Singapore to win the championship.

Lam Thoa

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