Vietnam have to show their best performance at SEA Games: coach Troussier

Speaking to the media after landing in Cambodia, coach Philippe Troussier said: “We are here with the ambition to win the title and to do that, we will have to compete against many strong opponents, but we are ready for the challenge.”

The French coach said the team are under pressure of having to play their “best and most beautiful” games. But he hopes the pressure will help the team play with highest determination.

Troussier has been coaching Vietnam’s national football and U22 teams since February, taking over from coach Park Hang-seo.

At the friendly Doha Cup 2023 last month, his first tournament with the U22 team, they lost all three matches to Iraq, the UAE and Kyrgyzstan.

In SEA Games 32, Vietnam are grouped with Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Laos.

They are scheduled to have their first training session on Wednesday to prepare for their first match against Laos on Sunday.

Vietnam won the men’s football gold medal at SEA Games 31.

This year, Vietnam sends a 1,003-strong sports delegation to SEA Games, which will officially kick off in early May. The country will compete in 30 out of 36 sports at the games, aiming for 90-120 gold medals to enter the top three on the medal tally.