Winning is not enough
The Vietnam team started the 3rd qualifying round of the 2027 Asian Cup by hosting the Laos team at Binh Duong Stadium. This is an opponent who has lost 13 matches to us and drawn 1 time in all of our matches since 1996. Most recently, at the 2024 ASEAN Cup, the Vietnam team defeated Laos 4-1 before winning the Southeast Asian Championship.
Victory in the upcoming match can be considered within reach of the Vietnam Team. However, what fans are interested in is how coach Kim Sang-sik and his team won 3 points against this opponent.
Remember, nearly a week ago, Quang Hai and his teammates had a hard time defeating Cambodia in a friendly match. The 2-1 result made fans question the quality of the personnel, squad and playing style of the "Golden Star Warriors".
Even when putting on the field a very strong squad, the Vietnam team was still stuck in situations of organizing attacks on the opponent's field. If it were not for the two brilliant moments of Hai Long and Van Vi, Mr. Kim Sang-sik's team would not have had a favorable result.
Not to mention, in the second half, the Vietnam team lost the game to Cambodia. The Korean coach admitted that pressure from the opponent made the home team confused and had problems in the decomposition stage. The personnel changes in the second half also did not create a breakthrough.
Tien Linh played somewhat lacklusterly with bad receiving situations; Ngoc Quang even made Mr. Kim angry because of his lack of connection; Vi Hao and Tien Anh only ensured the task of landing on both sides and could not create more passes or penetrate the penalty area with value.
The pressure on coach Kim Sang-sik after the unconvincing victory over Cambodia is getting greater. Of course, he and the players of the Vietnam National Team need to prove more in the match against the Laos team, instead of stopping at a favorable result.
Laos is unlikely to cause a surprise
In November 2024, the Laos team caused difficulties for the Vietnam team when they could not score any goals in the first half. Fans from the land of a million elephants hope that the home team can repeat this image in the rematch with Mr. Kim Sang-sik and his team in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.
However, at present, Laos has not shown enough momentum to confidently face the Vietnam team. In the latest speech to the Vietnamese media, coach Ha Hyeok-jun admitted that it was difficult to create a surprise at Binh Duong Stadium, only aiming to limit the minimum number of goals conceded against the home team.
This came from Laos' recent loss to Sri Lanka. Although playing at home, Laos lost 1-2 to the opponent currently ranked 200th in the world and is in the weakest group.
Remember, in this call-up list, coach Ha Hyeok-jun created opportunities for many "tinged" players. These include Phousomboun Panyavong, Khammanh Thapaseut (17 years old), Lokphathip (18 years old), Peter Phanthavong (19 years old). The most experienced player in the Lao squad this time is Kydavone Souvanny, but he is only 25 years old.
The Vietnam team gathered all the necessary factors to defeat the Laos team. But most importantly, what fans want to see in Mr. Kim Sang-sik and his team is a convincing attack, effective shots and pressure taking place with regular frequency.
The match between Vietnam and Laos takes place at 7:30 p.m. on March 25.
Expected lineup of the Vietnam team: Goalkeeper Dinh Trieu, Van Thanh, Thanh Chung, Duy Manh, Tien Dung, Van Vi, Ngoc Tan, Hoang Duc, Ngoc Quang, Tuan Hai, Vi Hao.
