Compared to previous gatherings, the list of Vietnam national team players in November did not have many surprises, but still attracted many people's attention due to the absence of overseas Vietnamese players, except for goalkeeper Van Lam and Cao Quang Vinh.
If Van Lam continues to be the choice in the goal, the names that were once expected such as Filip Nguyen, Viktor Le, Tran Thanh Trung... will not be present.
In particular, Filip Nguyen continues to be absent after the gathering in October. At that time, he did not have stable performance, and currently, the goalkeeper of Hanoi Police has just returned from injury.
In V.League 2025-2026, there will be more than 10 overseas Vietnamese players, including Tran Thanh Trung (Ninh Binh), Pierre Lamothe (Hanoi FC), Nguyen Nhu Duc Anh (PVF-CAND), Viktor Le (Hong Linh Ha Tinh), Viktor Le (SHB Da Nang), Vadim Nguyen (SHB Da Nang), Adriano Schmidt (Becamex HCMC), Lee Williams (HCMC Police), Damian Vu Thanh An, Colonna (The Cong Viettel), Adou Minh, Brand Ly (Hanoi Police).
However, except for familiar faces, Mr. Kim Sang-sik has not been able to find overseas Vietnamese players with good form or meeting professional requirements.
In fact, Vietnamese fans always have expectations for overseas Vietnamese players, because they are people with good physical foundation, fitness and are trained from the European professional football environment.
In addition to Van Lam, who has proven his class and experience, other names still need more time to express themselves and improve their skills. Because many people in the overseas Vietnamese player group are still very young.
Despite the absence of overseas Vietnamese, the Vietnamese team still gathers a familiar squad of pillars such as Tien Linh, Tuan Hai, Quang Hai, Hoang Duc, Hai Long, Thanh Chung, Tien Dung or Dinh Trieu, creating a familiar framework for the team.
The stability of this group of players is expected to help coach Kim Sang-sik maintain cohesion, in the context that the national team is aiming for a good result against Laos in the upcoming match.
In addition, the special thing about this list is Xuan Son's return after 10 months of injury treatment, bringing more options to the attack.
Not only Xuan Son, the Vietnam team also welcomed two potential young players, center back Khong Minh Gia Bao (Ho Chi Minh City Police) and striker Nguyen Tran Viet Cuong (Becamex Ho Chi Minh City). Both are in outstanding form in the V.League 2025-2026, contributing significantly to their home clubs.
Gia Bao showed solidity in defense, while Viet Cuong is a striker with diverse acceleration and finishing ability - a factor that the team needs to add. The appearance of these two players will bring a new breeze.
tactically, the team's current squad still ensures a balance between experience and youth. Key players such as Quang Hai, Hoang Duc or Tuan Hai will play a leading role in the playing style, while new players such as Gia Bao, Viet Cuong, Van Do... will have the opportunity to prove their abilities in upcoming training sessions.
In addition, coach Kim Sang-sik's continuous monitoring of the players' performance in the V.League shows that he is building an open team, where every player can be called up if they perform well.
Fans have the right to hope for a fighting look when the Vietnamese team enters the match against Laos in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, with the goal of winning and holding on to the opportunity to participate in the Asian finals next year.
