Keeping the goal of reaching the final of ASEAN Cup 2024
Coach Kim Sang-sik has reported on the expertise to the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) after two training sessions of the national men's football team at FIFA Days in September and October. There has been listening, sharing, and giving feedback from all parties, to reach an agreement that, at the upcoming ASEAN Cup 2024, the team's goal is to "play better" and "reach the final".
In the current context, both objectively and subjectively, this is a difficult goal but also demonstrates the determination of VFF and Mr. Kim Sang-sik to make greater efforts in the preparation phase. It is confirmed that the team will not gather for FIFA Days in November but will conduct a training trip in Korea from the second half of November.
The question is, in such a short period of time, will the Korean coach be able to fix the problems that even without him pointing them out, experts and fans can clearly see. Figuratively speaking, there are “4 problems” that need to be solved in nearly 3 weeks of preparation.
All 4 problems are difficult.
The first problem: Physical strength. A few years ago, there were compliments that Vietnamese players were ready to play at high intensity for 90 minutes. However, when former coach Philippe Troussier applied new tactics, requiring greater initiative and faster deployment, the physical weakness of Vietnamese players became evident.
Under Kim Sang-sik, the playing style is not as intense as that, but it is not easy to see important individuals with guaranteed physical strength throughout the match, including young players. The second problem: Playing style. This is the coach's responsibility, but the important factor is still physical strength. Regardless of the playing style, ensuring physical strength helps players maintain concentration. And here, playing style is the way the players clearly express the ideas that the coach wants, but for more than a year, experts and fans are not sure what that playing style and tactics are. The third problem: Cohesion. Only with playing style can people see cohesion. This is something that the Vietnamese team has not had under the 47-year-old coach. The fourth problem: Raising morale. Recently, midfielder Hoang Duc said, "Wearing the national team jersey is a responsibility, so the players enter the field with the highest spirit, not a lack of motivation or desire." But again, outsiders see the opposite angle.
Will Mr. Kim Sang-sik look for more similar players in the coming period? Or is there a need to "tease" the current key players, when Indonesia and Thailand are huge obstacles to the goal of reaching the finals...
