Vietnamese football and new tactical challenges: Analysis from a deep perspective

I have been following Vietnamese football for over 40 years, from the muddy fields of Hang Day to today's modern artificial turf. Lately, I have noticed a worrying trend: Vietnamese teams are losing their tactical identity. Look at V-League 2026. Teams once known for high pressing like Hanoi FC or Viettel now play passively. They let opponents control the ball and wait for mistakes. I call this 'passive counter-attacking football' – safe but lacking creativity. Why is this happening? Three main reasons. First, shortage of players with outstanding individual technique. Players like Nguyen Quang Hai or Nguyen Cong Phuong are becoming rare. Youth academies prioritize physicality over technique, producing runners but few creators. Second, short-term result pressure has killed tactical development. The average coach has only six months to prove himself. They dare not experiment with new formations. Instead, they choose safety: old 5-4-1, waiting for set pieces. Third, the explosion of statistical data makes coaches overly dependent on numbers. They look at opponent pressing stats, then decide not to press. They see their xG is low, so they choose to defend. Football becomes mechanical, losing improvisation. I recall the 2026 U23 Asian Championship final, when Park Hang-seo's players fought like warriors. They pressed tirelessly, combined with small groups. That was peak Vietnamese football. Now, I see V-League teams playing the same: mass defense, waiting for counters or set-piece luck. A typical example is the match between TP.HCM FC and SHB Da Nang in round 12 of V-League 2026. Both played 5-4-1, neither wanted to control. Result 0-0 with only one shot on target in 90 minutes. Fans booed, but both coaches were satisfied with 'one point away from home'. To change, we need a revolution at the root. First, academies must prioritize individual technique over physicality. Learn from Japan: children must master dribbling and passing before running marathons. Second, coaches need time and patience. A tactical system takes at least two seasons to shape. If we sack coaches after five defeats, we will remain mediocre forever. Third, media must change evaluation methods. Don't just look at win-loss results. Praise teams that dare to attack, even if they lose. Criticize teams that play negatively, even if they win. I was a beat reporter for SHB Da Nang in 2026. I saw this team play beautiful football under coach Le Huynh Duc – high pressing, wide triangle combinations. But now, they have also fallen into the safety trap. Vietnamese football does not lack talent, but it lacks modern tactical thinking. We are falling behind Thailand, Indonesia, even Laos. If we don't change immediately, the No.1 position in Southeast Asia will soon belong to others. In conclusion, I emphasize: football is not just about winning, but how you win. A 1-0 win through negative defense is not as meaningful as a 3-3 draw with attacking play. Let Vietnamese football return to its essence: beautiful, creative, and emotional.