The Tactical Puzzle: Vietnam National Team and the Dependency on Its Main Striking Duo

In modern football, relying on one or two attacking stars has always been a double-edged sword. For the Vietnam national team, that story is becoming more evident than ever when every attacking move seems to gravitate toward the main striking duo. They have scored up to 10 goals in major tournaments over the past year, with each once winning the Golden Boot, but that very consistency hides a significant tactical risk. Vietnamese football is now at a crossroads: continue nurturing this dependency or find the answer to a more diverse style of play. Looking back at the successful run of the national team and youth squads, one can easily see a pattern. Goals come from aerial duels, clever runs by the two center forwards, or familiar long-range shots when they are given enough space. Statistics show that this duo accounts for over 60% of the team's goals in a year. That is not wrong, but it reflects an underlying reality: the creative midfielders have not been capable enough to produce moments of magic, forcing the coach to place his bets on two finishers who know how to score. Tactically, this dependency creates a false sense of security. Against weaker opponents, the duo can easily break through. But when facing well-organized defenses like Thailand or West Asian teams, everything becomes a struggle. The opposition defenders only need to block the final pass, squeeze the space between the two center-backs and the goalkeeper, and the attack is neutralized. Such matches have exposed a fatal weakness: no Plan B, no midfielder capable of dribbling or delivering long-range through balls to exploit the space behind the defensive line. In reality, in major tournaments such as the AFF Cup or Asian Cup qualifiers, crucial goals often come from set pieces. This inadvertently masks the lack of coordinated group play and rotational movement. Opponents have started to learn how to defend in numbers, deliberately giving up possession and waiting for counter-attacking opportunities. They know that if the two Vietnamese strikers cannot get the ball in the box, the chances of scoring decrease significantly. From a data perspective, Vietnam's expected goals (xG) in major matches often come from direct attacks, lacking diversity. However, the issue is not about having two good strikers. The problem is the dependency itself—when the entire system is built to serve a pair. The wide midfielders tend to hug the touchline and cross the ball rather than driving inside or combining short. The full-backs rarely push high to participate in direct attacks. As a result, the play becomes monotonous and easy to read. Meanwhile, teams like Thailand build their play on flexible movement between lines, with wingers cutting inside, central midfielders capable of shooting from distance, and attacking full-backs as supporting runs. The difference comes from a coaching philosophy and approach to the match. This dependency also relates to personnel issues. Currently, the next generation of strikers has not yet shown the necessary promise. Young forwards are often brought on as tactical substitutes, but they lack opportunities to demonstrate their ability to combine with the midfield. Moreover, modern football no longer accepts a striker who just waits for the ball. They are required to press, move wide, and create space for themselves. Without a consistent coaching system, finding a replacement will be very difficult. From a counter-intuitive perspective, one could argue that the dependency is not entirely a weakness. If two strikers understand each other so well that they can combine efficiently without touching the ball, that creates flexibility in finishing. They can swap positions, stretch the defense, or make runs to create space for each other. But this only works when the supporting cast is strong enough to transition quickly and when the surrounding players are skilled enough to exploit space. In Vietnamese football, central midfielders tend to play it safe, passing sideways or back to the defenders rather than taking risks to make penetrating passes. Another important blind spot is how naturalized or overseas Vietnamese players are used. Although always mentioned, their integration into the general style is not always smooth. The difference in football culture and tactical mindset often leaves them isolated unless they are given the right role. Meanwhile, local players are used to playing based on inspiration and personal guidance, leading to a lack of organization when facing disciplined opponents. Experts have pointed this out for a long time, but there seem to be no satisfying answers. Let us return to the two main strikers. They are heroes in the eyes of the fans; they score goals, they shine, and they bring back titles. But can they play best within a system that is not overly reliant on them? That is a big question. Based on my experience following matches, a world-class striker will always know how to adapt to any system. They can have good off-ball movement, intelligent positioning, and be willing to drop deep to participate in build-up play. If the coaching staff only focuses on feeding them the ball, their creativity will be inadvertently limited. At decisive moments, be it a final or a do-or-die match, big teams often turn to individuals who can make a difference. Vietnam is fortunate to have some strikers who have done exactly that. But football is a team sport, and an over-dependency will become a double-edged sword. Without early changes in mindset, opponents will become more confident when facing Vietnam. They will concede possession, block all spaces, and wait for mistakes. That is how Thailand defeated Vietnam in certain situations, and that is how higher-ranked West Asian teams typically do it. We must recognize that the solution is not to completely replace these two strikers, but to create more attacking options. One option is to have one of the two drop back to play as a No. 10, pulling the opponent's center-back with him and leaving space for the wingers to advance. Another is to use fast wingers to exploit the space behind the defensive line when the opponent pushes high. Football is the art of surprise; if everything is too familiar, it becomes harmless. Recent tournaments have shown that Vietnam's goals often come from fast counter-attacks or set-pieces. That indicates that the ability to control possession and organize attacks has not really improved. Central midfielders lack the strength to contest and retain the ball under high pressure, leading to easy turnovers in the middle third. That forces strikers to create chances on their own, often outnumbered, a far from simple task. Perhaps it is time for the national team to undergo a tactical revolution, a change in coaching philosophy from the roots. Instead of hunting for elite goal scorers, focus on developing versatile attacking players who can play in multiple positions, handle tight situations, and make quick decisions. Modern football no longer worships the pure No. 9; successful teams like Spain, France, or Argentina all have attackers that rotate fluidly. That creates unpredictability, making it difficult for opponents to set their markers. Of course, change is not easy in a football environment where patience is a luxury. Clubs often prioritize players who can score immediately, and young players are forced to play within a rigid framework. But if Vietnam wants to reach the continental level, it must be bolder in utilizing players with technical qualities, the courage to take on opponents, and good tactical awareness. The combination of experience from the older generation and the enthusiasm of the young can create a formidable squad. Regarding sustainability, building a cohesive team style is more important than relying on individuals. A team with smooth operations will find it easier to overcome difficult times when the stars are marked out of the game or are not at their best. This has been proven in several World Cups, where teams without superstars but with strong unity have surprised people. Vietnam can learn from that. Vietnamese football has always been proud of its fighting spirit and unity. But besides spirit, it needs professional quality and tactics. The dependency on the striker duo seems a short-term solution to a long-term problem. Football administrators, from scouts to coaches, need to look deeply: are we building a team or just waiting for flashes of individual brilliance? Unless this question is answered, the current success will be ephemeral. Look at the matches where the two main strikers were nullified. In those games, the team lost its way. There was no one capable of dribbling through the danger zone, no one could make the killer pass to split a defense, and no full-back was good enough to support the attack. That is why in important matches, Vietnam often struggles against deep-lying defenses. The lack of diversity in attacking play is a difficult puzzle to solve. On the coaching side, specific strategies must be implemented to reduce the dependency. More attacking patterns from the flanks could be built, using wingers with good dribbling and crossing ability. Alternatively, short triangle passing combinations through the middle could be developed to break down the defensive block. The key is to introduce flexibility and unpredictability into play. This not only eases the burden on strikers but also gives them more space to operate. Modern football values control of the game tempo and the ability to transition quickly. A team that wants to dominate possession needs smart midfielders who know how to keep rhythm and read the game. Vietnam currently lacks a top-class playmaker in the central area, forcing attacks through the wings or relying on long balls. This makes the style predictable. It is time to find and develop a midfielder with good distribution, sharp tactical vision, and quick decision-making. From the fans' perspective, there is impatience when the team plays poorly. But the fans' patience is limited. They want to see a beautiful, committed team, not one that waits for a flash of inspiration. Thus, the head coach needs to develop a coherent attacking style with multiple attacking options. This demands thorough physical, tactical, and mental preparation for the entire squad. In a transfer window or a preparation cycle for a tournament, reviewing the tactical system is crucial. Simply buying players or calling up to the national team without clear direction will not solve the root problem. It must begin from youth development, where individual skills and tactical awareness are formed. Young players need to be taught to play in various positions, not confined to a fixed role. The above ideas are not meant to deny the contributions of the main striking duo. They have contributed a lot and deserve respect. But football is an evolving sport; today you can be a star, but tomorrow the whole team needs to be elevated. Reducing their dependency is also a way to relieve them of excess pressure, allowing them to shine in a more complete team. Looking forward, the Vietnamese national team must define its own football philosophy. Will we be a possession-based team pressing high, or a counter-attacking side? Each philosophy demands different types of players. At the moment, the team seems to be at a crossroads without a clear direction, which hampers the recruitment and development of talent. We can learn from the way Japan built their short-passing, high-pressing game over nearly a decade. Or learn from Thailand how to utilize the speed and technique of smaller players. Given the physique and attributes of Vietnamese players, developing a technical, flexible playing style based on good fitness might be a suitable path. But whatever path we choose, perseverance is paramount. Back to the immediate question: does the use of the main striking pair still fit into the long-term strategy? That is a question experts need to answer. Maybe they will still be pillars for the next one or two tournaments, but to compete on the continental stage, Vietnam needs more varied attacking weapons. A combination of a target center-forward who can hold up play and a wide-moving striker could create headaches for the opposition's defense. Meanwhile, the long-range shooting ability of midfielders also needs improvement. Big teams often do not rely solely on strikers for goals; overlaps from full-backs, long-range strikes from midfielders, or set-piece goals all contribute significantly. Vietnam needs to build a squad that can score from multiple positions, making it difficult for opponents to shut out. There have been many discussions about changing the tactics, but change in football is never easy. It requires time, patience, and a degree of risk acceptance. But if we never embrace change, we will stay where we are. In the near future, the national team may still rely on those two exceptional strikers, but it is vital to lay the foundation for the next generations without delay. Looking back at the development path of Vietnamese football, we have come a long way. From being a minnow in the region, now we can compete for the highest honors. But to go further, those in charge must have a long-term vision. Let the main striking pair have a well-deserved rest when necessary, give chances to young talents, and build a style of play with Vietnamese identity. Only then can we confidently face any opponent on the international stage. The final question remains: what kind of team will we be in the next five years? Will it be a collective, versatile, and varied team, or still a one-dimensional team relying on outstanding individuals? The answer lies in the decisions made today. And for a football nation eager to rise, daring to change is the very first step on the road to conquering new heights.