Diversified in attack
Along with Lebanon in Group A, the Vietnamese team is one of the two teams that won the most in the opening round of the 3rd qualifying round of the 2027 Asian Cup. The 5-0 result against Laos at Binh Duong Stadium brought many meanings.
In terms of results, coach Kim Sang-sik and his team have 3 points and a good enough goal difference. In the context of Malaysia only beating Nepal 2-0, the Vietnamese team has somehow maintained the advantage in the race for the top spot in this qualifying round.
In terms of playing style, unlike the unconvincing performance against Cambodia (friendly), the Vietnamese team played better. The home team's attack plans are presented in a diverse way and satisfy fans.
The two wingers, Truong Tien Anh (right) and Nguyen Van Vi (left), continuously rose up to join the attack. In which, Tien Anh was tasked with moving down the edge and crossing into the penalty area.
As for Van Vi, coach Kim Sang Sik assigned him the responsibility of being present near the opponent's goal to take advantage of the second ball situations.
In addition to the mobility of the two full-backs, the two wingers of the Vietnamese team, Hai Long and Ngoc Quang, also played a good role in maintaining pressure against Laos.
Accordingly, Hai Long took advantage of long-range finishing situations and Ngoc Quang appeared regularly in the 16m50 area to stretch the opposing defender and take advantage of Tien Anh's passes on the right wing.
It would be a shortcoming if Tien Linh was not mentioned. On a day of unlucky with the goal, the 2024 Vietnam Golden Ball at least showed the role of a target striker.
There were two clear situations in which this striker built a good wall for his teammates. A moment in the first half when he bid to let Van Vi run into the penalty area. In the second half, Tien Linh made a similar move to give Hoang Duc a chance to finish.
Mixing old and new
Looking at the 5 goals of the Vietnamese team, the mark in the harmonious combination of old values and new discoveries was clearly demonstrated by coach Kim Sang-sik.
Van Vi is one of the discoveries of the Korean coach. After 11 matches for the Vietnam national team, Van Vi has scored 4 goals.
Interestingly, this defender plays a very strange role compared to the tradition of the wingers. Instead of sticking to the left wing, Van Vi tends to move into the penalty area to take advantage of second ball situations.
In the last 2 goals against Cambodia and Laos, Van Vi scored with the above scenario. In addition, Van Vi's ability to dribble and make bold breakthroughs - similar to that at Nam Dinh club - was encouraged by coach Kim Sang-sik to show in the Vietnam national team. The second goal against Laos is a typical example.
Meanwhile, Tien Anh, Hai Long, Ngoc Quang are the faces that were given the opportunity to join the Vietnam national team by their predecessors Troussier and Park Hang-seo. But under the hands of Mr. Kim Sang-sik, they have become a new version.
Ngoc Quang and Hai Long are increasingly performing well as wingers. In fact, they themselves are not passive in settling for this position.
Instead, in transition situations, both can completely withdraw to play as central midfielders, to support the midfield of Hoang Duc, Minh Khoa or Doan Ngoc Tan.
For Tien Anh, this player has been somewhat raised to the level of coach Kim Sang-sik. No longer a shy, uncreative and shy player, this midfielder is stronger when attacking high and is smart enough to create situations that are just in range for his teammates inside to put pressure.
A relatively complete match for the Vietnam team against Laos. This victory would be more perfect if Tien Linh took advantage of the opportunities created by his teammates in the second half.
