Vietnam national team accelerates preparation for World Cup qualifiers: Tactical and risk analysis

Two weeks before the decisive match against Iraq, coach Philippe Troussier called up 26 players for the Vietnam national team. Among them, Nguyen Quang Hai and Nguyen Tien Linh stand out, similar to Will Bayley and Rob Davies in the British para table tennis team. This article analyzes tactics, player data, and risks in Vietnam's preparation for the third round of 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The training camp in Hanoi lasted ten days, with two friendlies against Philippines and Syria. Key findings: heavy reliance on key players (Quang Hai contributes 40% of set-piece goals, Tien Linh 30% of total goals), pressing improvement with higher risk of being exposed, and risk of injuries. The coaching staff is stable but the interim technical director role may create uncertainty. Three main risks identified: over-dependence on stars, injuries in final preparation, and inexperience of young players. The worst-case scenario is losing both friendlies and the crucial match against Iraq. This article emphasizes looking at structure rather than results to understand the team's true strength.