Forced to adjust and experiment
The Vietnamese team entered the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers without facing too much pressure. As part of the No. 1 seed group, coach Kim Sang-sik and his team fell into an easy group when facing Laos, Nepal and Malaysia. Even the most "hard" opponent like Malaysia, in reality, has little risk for the Vietnam team.
In March 2025, the Vietnam team will have the opening match against the Laos team at Binh Duong Stadium. Previously, during the preparation process, Mr. Kim Sang-sik's team played a friendly match with Cambodia. When he accepted to work in the S-shaped strip of land, coach Kim Sang-sik put himself in a big gamble. Just by not reaching the 2024 ASEAN Cup final, the Korean strategist will... lose his job. And then, Mr. Kim won big when Nguyen Xuan Son appeared from the final round of the group stage, followed by the Southeast Asian championship of the Vietnam Team.
But Xuan Son was injured in the second leg of the final and will be out of action until the end of 2025. That is the problem that the Vietnamese team needs to have a clear solution to. The two matches in March 2025 are the perfect opportunity for coach Kim Sang-sik to create new experiences in terms of personnel. Basically, the tactics of the Vietnam Team will remain the same. Mr. Kim can make a few small changes to his new recruits.
Will overseas Vietnamese players appear?
According to the investigation of Lao Dong reporter, in addition to factors that are leaving an impression in the V.League such as Nham Manh Dung, Que Ngoc Hai, Vo Hoang Minh Khoa... coach Kim Sang-sik will give more opportunities to overseas Vietnamese players competing domestically as well as outside of Vietnam.
Currently, very few names meet the professional requirements for Mr. Kim to choose, but giving them the opportunity to practice in the national team is necessary. Throughout the past 15 years of Vietnamese football, Mac Hong Quan, Dang Van Robert, Nguyen Filip are probably still the best overseas Vietnamese players.
In the near future, Jason Quang Vinh Pendant will likely have Vietnamese nationality and be called up to the national team. In Ho Chi Minh City, Patrik Le Giang is also eager to become a Vietnamese citizen. They will be the factor that makes a difference for the national team at this time.
In addition to overseas Vietnamese players, coach Kim Sang-sik will add a series of young players to the national team. Compared to the challenge at the ASEAN Cup 2024, winning the Gold Medal in the SEA Games men's football event is even more difficult.
First, U22 Vietnam does not have any players who are "main players" of the national team. The current Vietnam team has Trung Kien, Vi Hao and Van Khang, who have just participated in the 2024 Southeast Asian Championship. But don't be surprised if Mr. Kim Sang-sik recalls a series of young players such as Nguyen Thai Son, Nguyen Dinh Bac, Nguyen Quoc Viet or even a few new names such as Doan Ngoc Ha, Pham Ly Duc...
In a year when the Vietnam National Team did not participate in major tournaments, the SEA Games were equally important for young players. Preparing forces from the beginning of the year will not be redundant for Mr. Kim Sang-sik.
