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Compared to the time at the ASEAN Cup 2024, Malaysia is clearly different with a squad of naturalized players spread across 3 lines. In the first 2 goals, the Malaysians would have had difficulty scoring if it weren't for Joao Figueiredo and Holgado, 2 strikers who are both worth millions of dollars.
On the other hand, the Vietnamese team was missing many of its best players in attack, such as Nguyen Xuan Son and Van Toan. The defense was soon "broken" when central defender Thanh Chung had to leave the field due to injury. Without Xuan Son, the Vietnamese team could not put pressure on the Malaysian defense. Coach Kim Sang-sik had difficulty choosing the optimal lineup and tactics.
This was not the only reason for Vietnam's defeat, and it must be admitted that Malaysia played a good match. They controlled the game and put considerable pressure on Vietnam. Hoang Duc alone could not carry the midfield, which lacked a midfielder of the caliber of Do Hung Dung in his prime.
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Vietnamese players are at a disadvantage in the physical race with opponents who are superior in terms of physique and physical strength on the Malaysian side (photo by Huu Pham) |
Southeast Asian football is in the trend of using naturalized players. Previously, it was only Singapore, but now, the trend has spread to most other teams such as the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia...
Malaysia and Indonesia have the most, naturalizing massively. Only Vietnam and Thailand have some limitations. Using naturalized players is a sensitive issue, controversy occurs in many countries, even a place like Singapore, a more open culture and also has 2 AFF Cup championships. Looking more broadly, countries like France or Germany are facing controversial issues when using naturalized players in the squad.
What will this trend lead to for Southeast Asian football?
After 2 AFF Cup championships, Singapore has now fallen below, no longer in the top group for a long time and has not shown the motivation to rise. They lack the necessary elements to develop football sustainably and with depth and breadth despite being rich.
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Strengthening internal strength or increasing financial resources to find a better source of naturalized players is a difficult problem for Vietnamese football. |
Indonesia just lost 0-6 to Japan in the final qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup. Indonesian football people are also under great pressure when the national team lost the match. It can be seen that the use of naturalized players at some point helps teams become stronger in the Southeast Asian region. But what happens next if they fail to go beyond the region and aim for the World Cup?
The level of naturalized players when playing for teams in Southeast Asia is actually not superior at the continental level. The naturalization policy can also create consequences for the development of domestic football and in the long term, when naturalized players are not the solution to bring football to the world , Southeast Asian countries may be forced to reconsider, in addition to the resource factor to maintain the search for external momentum.
Source: https://tienphong.vn/thay-gi-tu-chinh-sach-nhap-tich-cau-thu-cua-viet-nam-va-cac-nuoc-dong-nam-a-post1750109.tpo
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