Vietnam national team adjusts tactics ahead of 2026 World Cup qualifiers

This morning, as the first rays of sunlight filtered through the fences of the National Sports Training Center, the Vietnamese national team began their training session with a completely different demeanor compared to previous days. On the meticulously maintained artificial turf, head coach Philippe Troussier stood observing each group of players moving along predetermined running paths marked with reflective cones. These were not ordinary tactical drills — they represented an entirely new proactive defensive system, specifically designed for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers. According to reporters, the team experimented with a 5-4-1 formation with three center-backs, where the two wing-backs were tasked with supporting attacks when possession was regained. This marked a notable shift from the familiar 4-3-3 formation that Troussier had employed during the 2026 AFF Cup. On October 16, Vietnam will host Iraq at My Dinh Stadium in the second round of 2026 World Cup qualifiers. This match is considered the biggest challenge for the French coach's squad since the beginning of the year, with the West Asian opponent ranked 70th in the world — 43 places higher than Vietnam (FIFA ranking 113). Tactical analysis shows Iraq employs high-pressing with a 67% success rate in early ball recovery situations from the previous qualifying round. They average 2.1 goals per match and favor direct attacks through both flanks. Therefore, Troussier's switch to a five-back formation is seen as the most solid defensive option to limit the opponent's wide attacks. However, despite choosing a defensive approach, the team maintains two pacey wingers — Nguyen Van Toan and Pham Tuan Hai — ready for quick counterattacks. This detail indicates the coaching staff hasn't completely abandoned attacking intentions, merely awaiting the appropriate opportunity. During the morning session, the most notable player was midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai. He excelled in one-touch passing drills in tight spaces, achieving 94% accuracy — significantly higher than the 87% recorded in the June match against the Philippines. This improvement is attributed to the personalized training program Troussier implemented specifically for the Ha Tinh native over the past two weeks. Additionally, goalkeeper Dang Van Lam continued to show consistent form with 5 successful saves during a 30-minute 11-a-side competitive drill. He told reporters after training: "My teammates and I have prepared thoroughly mentally. The match against Iraq will be very difficult, but we are not afraid." Regarding personnel, Vietnam will be without centre-back Bui Hoang Viet Anh due to suspension. Instead, 21-year-old CB Nguyen Thanh Binh is highly rated to start alongside Do Duy Manh. Despite his youth, Thanh Binh has already made 12 appearances for the U23 Vietnam team and is described by Troussier as "a promising young talent of Vietnamese football." The key issue lies in midfield. With the 5-4-1 formation, the two central midfielders must undertake the grueling work: protecting the defense while launching counterattacks. Accordingly, Do Hung Dung is expected to serve as the primary defensive midfielder, while Hoang Duc will have more freedom to roam and support attacks when opportunities arise. An interesting detail reporters discovered was the entire team wearing heart rate monitors throughout the training session. Data showed average heart rate maintained at 155 bpm — higher than previous training sessions, indicating significantly increased training intensity. The match against Iraq kicks off at 7 PM on October 16 at My Dinh Stadium, Hanoi. Tickets sold out within just 3 hours of going on sale, reflecting the national team's appeal among fans. Approximately 25,000 spectators are expected to attend what has been dubbed "the match of hope." Something few people realize: proactive defensive tactics aren't signs of weakness, but rather intelligence in accurately assessing the opponent's strength. Troussier once stated in a press conference: "Football isn't always about attacking more. Sometimes, knowing when to defend is a sign of maturity." With clear tactical adjustments and the team's determined spirit, the match against Iraq promises to be a true test of Vietnamese football's ambitions in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.