Coach Troussier and the tactical puzzle for U23 Vietnam at the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup

During a closed training session at the PVF Youth Training Center yesterday afternoon, I had the chance to observe a small but telling moment. When midfielder Nguyen Thai Son misplayed a 15-meter pass, head coach Philippe Troussier did not scold him. He simply walked over, placed a hand on the player's shoulder, and spoke a brief sentence in French. I could not hear the words, but afterward, Thai Son nodded and executed the next pass perfectly. That moment revealed the trust Troussier is building with his young players—a factor more important than any tactical formation. Context: U23 Vietnam is in the final preparation phase for the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, scheduled from April 15 to May 3. The team is placed in Group C alongside Uzbekistan, Malaysia, and Kuwait. The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) aims for a quarterfinal berth, but Troussier has set a higher ambition: competing for a spot at the 2028 Paris Olympics. My tactical analysis, based on 52 years of observing football, shows that Troussier is experimenting with a variant of the 3-4-3 formation, but with a distinct twist. Instead of using traditional attacking full-backs, he requires the two central midfielders—Nguyen Thai Son and Khue Van Khang—to play flexible box-to-box roles, constantly swapping positions with the wingers. This creates unpredictability in attacking phases. From data from the last three friendlies, I recorded that U23 Vietnam averages 12.3 passes into the opponent's penalty area per match, a 40% increase from the early period of his tenure. However, the finishing rate stands at only 8.2%, a figure that needs improvement. The core insight lies in the relationships among players. Ho Van Cuong, a 22-year-old right-back, is a case in point. He was once criticized for lacking focus, but in recent sessions, I have seen him regularly stay after practice to review footage with assistant coach Nguyen Anh Duc. Troussier does not force it; he creates an environment where players take initiative. This contradicts the common belief that iron discipline alone brings success. At 68, I believe that voluntary commitment is the real glue that binds a young team. Contrarian angle: Public opinion often holds that U23 Vietnam is weak due to a lack of international experience. But from what I have observed, the real weakness is not in skill level but in the ability to maintain intensity in the final 20 minutes. In three friendlies, the team conceded 5 goals, 4 of which came after the 70th minute. This is a consequence of fitness not yet meeting tactical demands, not individual errors. Troussier has ordered increased interval training on the pitch, but I believe more time is needed to adapt. Takeaway: The opening match against Kuwait on April 16 will be the real test. I expect Troussier to field his strongest lineup: goalkeeper Quan Van Chuan, the central defensive trio of Bui Hoang Viet Anh, Nguyen Thanh Binh, and Phan Tuan Tai, along with the midfield duo of Thai Son and Van Khang. If they overcome the psychological pressure of the first match, the chances of advancing are high. The question remains: Will Troussier have the patience to wait for these seeds to germinate?