When coach Kim Sang-sik changed

From achievement-focused goals…

Coach Kim Sang-sik came to Vietnam football after the men's football team was said to have "gone through a serious illness" with many losses in 1 year under his predecessor Philippe Troussier. Experts analyzed that because the French strategist "made a revolution" too thoroughly, focusing too much on young players, the team lost balance at a time when it needed to regain balance after a somewhat declining final period with Park Hang-seo.

Of course, Mr. Kim Sang-sik came to Vietnam with a lot of professional advice, and also about the "special points" of Vietnamese fans to immediately call back a series of pillars. In the goal of bringing the Vietnam National Team back, regaining the trust of fans in the S-shaped country, the 47-year-old coach declared that his goal is achievement - the first of which is the ASEAN Championship at the end of this year.

He has his reasons, because the contract signed with the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) is for 2 years. Among the reasons mentioned, 2 years is enough for him to prove his ability and suitability for Vietnamese football. And there is no better solution to achieve results than using the pillars who have been successful with his Korean compatriot.

…to “orbital bending”

But ironically, after more than half a year since Mr. Troussier left, there were opinions that we had "wrongly blamed the White Witch".

The pillars of Vietnamese football in recent years seem to have lost their desire to strive, many names are struggling to regain their form. And with the rapid progress of young Thai players, and the naturalization policy implemented by Indonesian football, the decline of the Vietnamese team is even more evident (not to mention the youth teams). Therefore, after 4 matches that did not satisfy fans - partly due to the results but mostly due to the performance, coach Kim Sang-sik may have to change direction, paying more attention to young players or new factors.

In the two matches at FIFA Days in September, in addition to Tuan Tai - a young but important member, Mr. Kim Sang-sik let Van Truong play quite a lot. The Hanoi FC players tried very hard, but in the lackluster performance around them, the 21-year-old midfielder could not show much. But the problem is, in this situation, the Vietnam National Team needs more enthusiasm, which perhaps the young players and new elements will be more full of.

They can also create more competition, hoping to re-energize the seniors, and together bring the Vietnam National Team back. Otherwise, of course, elimination will happen as Mr. Troussier wanted to do earlier.

It can be seen that in the list of players announced on the morning of October 2, in addition to Van Truong, striker Vi Hao, goalkeeper Van Viet, there are more young players, with goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien, Nguyen Dinh Bac, Khuat Van Khang, Nguyen Thai Son in midfield, and Nguyen Quoc Viet in forward position.

Mr. Kim Sang-sik's "new factor" is Van Quyet, a veteran striker who is still showing great form and determination at the age of 33.