Frame from midfield
After the 3-0 victory over Indonesia, Mr. Kim continued to place his trust in the Thanh Long - Hoang Duc duo in the center. This can be considered one of the most important discoveries of the Vietnamese team at ASEAN 2026.
Hoang Duc brings the ability to hold the ball, escape pressing and regulate the tempo. Thanh Long playing close to him brings another source of energy: tackling, covering the field, pressing and ready to launch lethal passes. These two personalities are different but complement each other.
Against Cambodia, Vietnam controlled the ball up to 79% in the first half, reflecting a superior game, but more importantly, the way the team regained the ball very quickly after losing control.
Dinh Bac's opening goal is an example. Vietnam put pressure right in the opponent's half, regained the ball and quickly switched positions before Bac broke through and finished. That was not an isolated moment. The ability to press and switch positions quickly was the weapon that once caused Indonesia many difficulties at Pakansari.
When the opponent had not yet reorganized the squad, Vietnam had already put the ball into the dangerous area. For players with speed and direct handling like Dinh Bac, that kind of football is particularly suitable.
4 goals scored before the 25th minute and 8 goals in the first half at the tournament also show a characteristic being formed. The Vietnamese team wants to attack first, attack quickly and force the opponent to change plans.
Dinh Bac and increasingly important cards
If Thanh Long is gradually taking the position in midfield, then above, Dinh Bac continues to prove that he is not simply a breakthrough option. Two goals against Cambodia helped the striker born in 2004 lead the top scorer list. But his value is not only in that statistic. The ability to move wide, break through and accelerate helps Vietnam have a breakthrough point in the last 1/3 of the field.
Jackie Chan was the one who passed for Dinh Bac to complete a double. A pass and a run show that the connection between the links is becoming increasingly clear.
Above, Xuan Son is still the center forward with the ability to pin the defense, compete and create pressure. Quang Hai is ready to bring creativity. Hoang Duc keeps the rhythm behind, Thanh Long provides energy, Dinh Bac creates speed and directness. These pieces are helping Kim Sang-sik's framework gradually take shape before the semi-finals.
Is Mr. Kim still hiding his cards?
The most interesting thing in the match against Cambodia is that Mr. Kim Sang-sik did not only use what was effective. At one point, Tien Anh curled into the center, opening the corridor for Viet Anh to push high. Vietnam proactively put the ball behind the defense, towards the far post to take advantage of Viet Anh's height before heading back into the central area.
At one point, the system changed to 4-4-2. Xuan Manh returned to the right-back position, Tien Anh was pushed high, Dinh Bac operated on the opposite wing, and Xuan Son - Hai Long formed a striker pair.
The Vietnamese team also increased the frequency of attacking into the center instead of just finding ways down the two wings. The coordination of Van Vi - Dinh Bac - Quang Hai in the first half is a noteworthy example.
Those changes are not always smooth, but the meaning lies in the fact that Vietnam has more than one way to attack. Because entering the semi-finals, the story will be very different.
A goal conceded came at the right time
The biggest blemish was still the goal conceded in the 72nd minute. Against Cambodia, the defense had moments of lack of concentration, for Bento to take advantage of to bring the match back to the starting line.
In the group stage, Vietnam still has time to correct mistakes. But in the semi-finals, such a moment can change the whole match. Perhaps because of that, the victory over Cambodia is more valuable than an easy victory.
Mr. Kim Sang-sik has seen the framework and has cards that are in good form. New options have also been tested. And more importantly, the team received just enough warning before entering the knockout round.
The semi-finals are the time when the cards must be unwrapped. The Vietnamese team has a framework. Now is the time for Mr. Kim Sang-sik to sharpen each weapon for the battle to protect the throne.
And finally, sometimes the best preparation is for legs and heads to rest. Especially for players who are under a lot of pressure like Quang Hai, staying away from praise and criticism on social media for a few days may be necessary to regain peace of mind before entering matches where bravery is what speaks out.
