As the competition in Southeast Asia intensifies, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) must develop strategies to support players in making the leap to international leagues.

Vietnamese footballers have long been hesitant to step out of their comfort zones and play abroad, a trend that is concerning for the development of the sport in the country. It is perhaps time for the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) to step in and help elevate Vietnamese football to its former glory.

As of now, the V-League has been around for over 20 years, but the number of domestic players who have ventured abroad to play in top leagues barely forms a full team. This is a disappointing fact, as it is not solely due to commercial reasons but also personal efforts to seek opportunities and improve, such as Cong Vinh’s stint in Portugal.

Vietnamese football still has Cong Phuong as the sole player seeking opportunities in Japan, which is disheartening. Despite the talent and recognition Vietnamese players receive from clubs in Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia, only a few have taken the step to play abroad.

Reasons for this hesitation include fear of failure, language barriers, cultural differences, abilities, and remuneration concerns. These factors have caused Vietnamese football and its national team to progress slowly and inconsistently compared to Thailand, especially in recent times.

Time for VFF to act

Fundamentally, the VFF cannot directly interfere with a player's decision to play abroad, as it involves personal choices and the interests of their clubs and potential teams abroad. However, the VFF can play a significant role in helping Vietnamese football regain its glory and improve its competitiveness in the region.

While it is not an easy task, it is not an impossible one. The VFF can develop strategies to send young players to "study abroad" in football or collaborate with more developed nations for training. Recently, Vietnamese U-level teams have been sent abroad for training, like the U17 team going to Germany. However, a more consistent and long-term plan is necessary rather than waiting for invitations from partners.

With the current restrictions on using naturalized players and the reluctance of key talents to go abroad, the VFF must plan strategically to prevent falling behind, especially as Indonesia and Thailand have seen success with policies of naturalization and encouraging players to play abroad.

Duy Nguyen