The Vietnam national team surprisingly resembles the England national team in one aspect

From Thomas Tuchel’s England squad to Vietnam under Philippe Troussier in the past, the shared characteristic is the coach facing immense public pressure, with every strategic choice or comment to the press potentially sparking debate.

Thomas Tuchel has become the center of attention in England after openly criticizing the fans for being “too quiet” during the 3-0 victory over Wales at Wembley. “I didn’t hear any support from the English fans, only cheers from the Welsh supporters. We did everything to win, the team deserved more backing,” the German coach said. This statement immediately sparked mixed reactions; some felt Tuchel lacked tact, while others agreed with his wish to see a livelier crowd to boost the team’s spirit.

Previously, the 24-player list called up by Tuchel continued to ignite debates across England. Familiar names like Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, and Jack Grealish were all excluded despite some being in good form. Tuchel explained: “They must definitely convince me with their performance. If others are playing well, why should I change?”This reasoning did not satisfy experts or the media, many of whom thought he was too rigid. Nevertheless, Tuchel’s England team has maintained steady form, reinforcing trust in a philosophy that values organization and discipline.

In Vietnam, Philippe Troussier faced similar pressure while leading the national team during turbulent times. After a series of defeats at the 2023 Asian Cup, he openly responded to the media: “I understand their reactions, but they don’t acknowledge what we have achieved over the past 8 months,”Troussier believed many assessments were overly emotional and emphasized: “I take responsibility when the team fails, but I cannot accept players being criticized when they have given their best effort.”

Before the World Cup 2026 qualifier against Indonesia, the French coach attracted attention by saying: “80% of Vietnamese people expect me to be fired. Many say my methods are inappropriate or even damaging to Vietnamese football.”Despite this, he remained confident that “this is the moment the players have absorbed my philosophy,” stressing that Vietnam is ready for the challenge.

The French coach even decisively dropped many “key players” to give opportunities to young talents, despite numerous criticisms targeting his personnel policies, similar to what Tuchel faces with the Three Lions. These bold statements and actions reflect Troussier’s character and determination to confront public opinion to protect his players.

Now, as past controversies have settled, Vietnamese football is opening a new chapter under coach Kim Sang Sik. Although the 3-1 win over Nepal on the evening of October 9 was not entirely convincing, it marked an important step in the ongoing rebuilding process. On October 14, Vietnam will face Nepal again at Thong Nhat Stadium, where Kim Sang Sik’s team must fully utilize home advantage to secure another strong victory, keeping hopes alive to compete for the top spot in Group F alongside Malaysia and move closer to qualifying for the 2027 Asian Cup finals. Can the team turn this renewed belief into reality?