On the morning of March 25, coach Kim Sang-sik (Vietnam national team) and coach Javier Cabrera (Bangladesh) attended a press conference before the international friendly football match during FIFA Days in March 2026.
Opening the press conference, coach Kim Sang-sik shared: "It has been a long time since the whole team has gathered again. This is the first time I have worked with Hoang Hen, Dinh Trong, Van Hau or Ngoc Bao. Therefore, I am waiting for the contributions of new friends.
The Vietnamese team is preparing well in terms of force and expertise to bring joy to fans in the next 2 matches".
Assessing the opponent Bangladesh, Mr. Kim said: "Bangladesh, after appointing a new coach, has built a new playing style, I rate it much better than before. However, we don't think much about the past matches, we only focus maximally on the upcoming match.
I know they have a player playing at Leicester City. The Vietnamese team is in the process of analyzing videos to see the style and playing style of the opponent, thereby finding ways to cope and create victory in tomorrow's match".
Assessing Hoang Hen's integration, Mr. Kim commented: "After 5 years of dedication and contribution to V.League clubs, Hoang Hen has had the opportunity to wear the Vietnamese national team jersey, I am very happy about that. In recent days, his performance on the attacking front has created many options for me and the coaching staff in finishing and scoring goals.
With Xuan Son and Hoang Hen, I can use both in attack with a 2-striker or 1-striker formation. Xuan Son has suffered a minor thigh injury in recent days, we will check again to come up with the best method, helping him to play well".
Regarding the return of Dinh Trong and Van Hau, the Korean coach said: "Both played well in the V.League. Van Hau also went through a long time facing injuries, but he has returned to the national team with good physical condition and form.
I am very much looking forward to the performance of these two players. The Vietnamese national team's defense will be more solid. Through healthy competition, the team will become stronger, creating the best squad for the next matches".
At the press conference, center-back Duy Manh shared: "My goal and the whole team's goal is to focus to the maximum, follow the tactics of the coaching staff. We will play 100% of our strength to bring victory to the fans.
Although it is a friendly match, the result is related to FIFA rankings. The Vietnamese team respects Bangladesh very much and we will play our best against this opponent".
Regarding the team's new players, Duy Manh said: "Hoang Hen speaks Vietnamese very well, showing good expertise for many years. Being called up to the Vietnamese national team is a recognition from coach Kim Sang-sik personally and the coaching staff.
With Dinh Trong and Van Hau, I am very happy that you two are back in the national team. I hope you two will practice and play well to continue to contribute to Vietnamese football".
Regarding the Bangladesh team, coach Javier Cabrera said: "Tomorrow's match is very important. We may meet the Vietnam team - an Southeast Asian opponent that has performed well in the past time. When playing against such a strong team, Bangladesh will have more confidence to aim for the official match against Singapore.
Assessing the Vietnamese national team squad, the Bangladesh captain said: "We have full information about the Vietnamese team as well as seen your journey at the recent AFC U23 Championship. Vietnamese football is developing positively.
Before that, they had Xuan Son, this player just returned to the national team. Now they also have another naturalized player. The Vietnamese national team is very strong, so we will play our best.
Regarding Hamza Choudhury's ability to play - the midfielder currently playing for Leicester City, Mr. Javier Cabrera said: "Yesterday he just came to join the team. In general, his condition is quite good, but we need to consider the integration of this player with the whole team before making a decision.
