New bottle, new wine
Half of the ASEAN Cup 2024 championship squad is not present in the list of Vietnamese teams heading to this year's tournament.
In goal, Nguyen Dinh Trieu - the best goalkeeper of the tournament 2 years ago was not selected, while Nguyen Filip was busy playing for Hanoi Police in the AFC Champions League Elite play-off round.
The forward and defender line also changed a lot. A series of "points" including Nguyen Tien Linh, Bui Vi Hao, Nguyen Van Toan, Pham Tuan Hai did not participate this time.
Meanwhile, the defense line welcomes some young factors from the U23 Vietnam team. We can mention Nguyen Nhat Minh, Dinh Quang Kiet - people who have performed well in the V.League, replacing veterans who have been injured in the past time such as Bui Tien Dung, Nguyen Thanh Binh or Vu Van Thanh.
In theory, coach Kim Sang-sik is still capable of building a squad that gathers the entire ASEAN Cup 2024 champion for the Vietnamese team.
However, with the return of some key players and high form from many new players, the Korean coach has enough potential to create a "force revolution", helping the "Golden Star Warriors" continue to win the Southeast Asian crown.
Based on the training journey in Korea as well as 3 quality friendly matches with opponents Siheung FC (K.League 3), Yongin FC (K.League 2), Gangwon FC (K.League 1), the coaching staff of the Vietnamese team even built up to 2 squads, serving each specialized match at ASEAN Cup 2026.
Notably, many individuals in these 2 frameworks are in very high form, creating fierce competition within the team to win an official spot to participate in the tournament.
A stronger Vietnam
Two years ago, the Vietnamese national team created a historical milestone when using a naturalized player in the ASEAN Cup. Nguyen Xuan Son started playing from the last match of the group stage and quickly became a factor to make a difference. The striker born in 1997 scored 7 goals, won the Top Scorer and Player of the Tournament title, making a great contribution to helping the Vietnamese national team end 6 years of waiting to step up to the championship.
The Xuan Son effect paved the way for naturalized foreign players of the Vietnamese team. The pair Hoang Hen (Hendrio) and Tai Loc (Geovane) were named in the list towards the ASEAN Cup 2026. Coach Kim Sang-sik has prepared many scenarios to optimize the strength from this "three-pointed spearhead". Thanks to that, compared to the tournament 2 years ago, the team's internal strength has increased many times.
The debut of Hoang Hen and Tai Loc for the national team also creates a positive race for many domestic players. In the forward line, Nguyen Hai Long and Nguyen Dinh Bac are trying to score points in friendly matches. Meanwhile, in midfield, Hoang Duc, Quang Hai or Thanh Long are also trying harder as Tai Loc can take a spot in midfield.
The change of squad is also clearly seen in the defense. Although Dinh Trieu or Nguyen Filip are no longer in goal, coach Kim Sang-sik still has a "double-horse" race between two overseas Vietnamese goalkeepers, Dang Van Lam and Le Giang Patrik. The goalkeepers are all given opportunities to play and they all make the most of it to prove their talent.
The central defender trio of the Vietnamese team promises to have changes compared to 2 years ago. The return of Doan Van Hau brings Mr. Kim Sang-sik a valuable piece of the puzzle. He can be flexible from left center-back to left-back. Thanks to that, the Vietnamese team has more quality options in switching between attack and defense.
It must be affirmed that compared to the ASEAN Cup 2024 crown, the Vietnamese team returned to the tournament with much stronger strength. In the context that opponents do not have the best squad to participate in the tournament, this is an opportunity for coach Kim Sang-sik and his team to successfully defend the Southeast Asian crown.
