Mr. Kim Sang-sik's own choice
On December 6, the Vietnamese team will leave for Laos to participate in the AFF Cup (new name is ASEAN Cup) 2024. Up to now, although the official list has not been announced, coach Kim Sang-sik has basically narrowed down the personnel.
Besides some familiar players like Van Lam, Nguyen Filip, Bui Hoang Viet Anh, Nguyen Hoang Duc, Nguyen Quang Hai... Doan Ngoc Tan, Nguyen Xuan Son or Nguyen Van Vi will be a breath of fresh air for the Vietnamese team at the upcoming Southeast Asian championship.
That is also a notable mark of the personnel under the tenure of Mr. Kim Sang-sik. Inheriting the unfinished force from his predecessor Philippe Troussier, the Korean coach meticulously researched and selected a lineup that mixed young elements with veteran soldiers.
After 5 months in charge, coach Kim Sang-sik has learned many things. In his most recent speech before embarking on the AFF Cup 2024 campaign, Mr. Kim frankly pointed out that some experienced players in the Vietnamese team are declining in physical strength. Meanwhile, the young faces, although full of enthusiasm and fighting spirit, are limited in expertise.
From this reality, plus regular "inspections" at V.League, coach Kim Sang-sik made a bold decision. He did not choose famous players such as Hung Dung, Ngoc Hai, Tuan Anh, Hong Duy or Cong Phuong. At the same time, some young players who have not yet developed their abilities such as Tuan Tai and Minh Trong are also out of the plan. Even the duo Thai Son and Van Truong are at risk of not being included in the final list to attend the AFF Cup 2024.
Instead, Mr. Kim called back two veterans Bui Tien Dung and Do Duy Manh. In addition, the coach born in 1972 also gave opportunities to Truong Tien Anh and Nguyen Hai Long. These are two players who have not shown their abilities under Mr. Philippe Troussier. However, thanks to their high performance in the V.League and their good integration into the Vietnam national team, coach Kim Sang-sik has placed a lot of faith in them.
Tactics have characteristics
Up to now, the Vietnamese team has played 5 official matches and 4 practice matches under coach Kim Sang-sik in the past 6 months.
16 goals after 9 matches (an average of more than 1 goal/match) is a number that shows the good attacking ability of the Vietnamese team. This is a remarkable mark in the expertise that Mr. Kim Sang-sik created.
In addition to the ability to organize attacks quite flexibly, during the training period in Korea, the Vietnamese team also practiced the ability to exploit opportunities from "dead balls". The two opening goals in the two matches against Ulsan Citizen and Daegu FC were the result of the Vietnamese team's set-piece attacks.
Through each match, coach Kim Sang-sik also systematically builds the midfield line. In which, one player will take on the role of defensive midfielder and a shuttle midfielder will be responsible for distributing the cards. The remaining, an attacking midfielder will play diagonally to the right wing.
Based on this, Mr. Kim also built an effective group of midfield players, suitable for his own tactical arrangement.
Rookies Doan Ngoc Tan and Nguyen Hai Long benefited from this. Previously, they had difficulty integrating and adapting to the formation of two central midfielders who both attacked and defended. But now, with the new coaching style of Mr. Kim Sang-sik, these players have stepped into the light with the anticipation of fans.
