VFF speaks out about using naturalized players for the Vietnam national team

VFF considers using naturalized players. Photo: Duc Cuong .

“After the match with Malaysia, VFF pondered and calculated a lot. Not only the result, but also how we will develop Vietnamese football in the future. We analyzed many issues, from using naturalized players, training young players, to balancing the team's achievements and the sustainable development of domestic football,” said VFF President Tran Quoc Tuan at a press conference on the afternoon of June 17.

The question of which players to use for the national team in international tournaments became a hot topic after Vietnam lost 0-4 to Malaysia in the second match of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. In Southeast Asia, Indonesia naturalized players of European origin and qualified for the fourth qualifying round of a World Cup for the first time. Malaysia surprised everyone with a starting lineup of 9/11 naturalized players, mainly from South America, and won a big victory over Vietnam.

Unlike its “neighbors”, VFF is determined to use domestic players. If using naturalized players or overseas Vietnamese, it is necessary to consider the integration issue, long-term development as well as the sustainability of domestic tournaments.

“If we only focus on building the strongest team at a time, but forget about the domestic league system, forget about the development of domestic players, that will be the wrong move. We need to motivate domestic players, invest in training in localities and clubs, which create the foundation for national football,” Chairman Tran Quoc Tuan continued.

The national team represents a country and a culture, so the use of naturalized players also needs to consider suitability and strategy.

“From cultural identity, national pride, to tactical cohesion, all need to be built from within. We are persistent in this direction. If there are external additions, such as naturalized players, it must be a suitable and strategic choice, not a temporary solution,” he emphasized.

Finally, the VFF President hopes that fans and the media will believe in the VFF's determination and path: "I believe that with the right direction, thorough investment in youth training and international cooperation, Vietnamese football will develop sustainably, maintain its identity and reach regional level."

Source: https://znews.vn/vff-len-tieng-ve-viec-su-dung-cau-thu-nhap-tich-cho-tuyen-viet-nam-post1561615.html