Prioritize attack
In 2 consecutive friendly matches against Gangwon FC in Korea and Myanmar in Thai Nguyen, coach Kim Sang-sik used the same starting lineup.
Comparing with the main force that this coach chose in the key halves against Yongin FC and Siheung FC before, it is not difficult to see that the Vietnamese team prioritizes the attacking front based on 3 naturalized strikers: Hoang Hen, Xuan Son and Tai Loc.
Before and after the match against Myanmar, Mr. Kim affirmed that the team is getting stronger thanks to the above strikers. Through the diễn biến of the match, especially in the first half, the coaching staff has arranged a series of satellites with the task of supporting Son, Hen, Loc.
Quang Hai and Hoang Duc are arranged to play side by side in the role of constructors and attackers from the second line. Meanwhile, the two "crossers" Van Hau and Tien Anh are tasked with making passes or crosses from the two wings.
No less than 10 shots of the Vietnamese team against Myanmar were created in the first half, with diverse scenarios such as exploiting high balls, penetrating into the opponent's defense and then making shots in front of the 16m50 box.
In theory, coach Kim Sang-sik's idea of creating a team with great attacking power is not wrong. However, the "damage" in finishing phases or finding a smooth enough coordination between the "points" is something that fans have not seen in most of the team's attacks.
3 out of 4 goals that the Vietnamese team has scored still come from individual marks or familiar combinations before. Xuan Son and Hoang Hen scored thanks to powerful shots from outside the penalty area. Xuan Manh scored after a good free kick from Tien Anh.
Reinforce the defense
In the 2nd consecutive match, 3 center-backs including: Nhat Minh, Thanh Chung and Xuan Manh played side by side together. Compared to ASEAN Cup 2024, young center-back Nhat Minh is the replacement for "link" Bui Tien Dung. Thanh Chung and Xuan Manh themselves have also played side by side at Hanoi FC for many seasons. However, to say that they have played well together against Gangwon FC and Myanmar is not yet true. Xuan Manh once made a mistake leading to penalties when Vietnam played against the Korean team. Against Myanmar, Nhat Minh's position was exploited by the opponent when there was a counter-attack opportunity. The tendency of the two full-backs to push high plus the central area lacking a "sweeper" is causing the Vietnamese team to face an imbalance between attack and defense.
It should be added that in the last 20 minutes of the second half against Myanmar, the Vietnamese team made personnel changes with the appearance of Dinh Bac, Viet Anh, Thanh Long, Van Vi or Gia Hung. Although still maintaining the familiar 3-4-3 formation, the balance between the two attacking and defensive states is more guaranteed.
This comes from the fact that Van Hau was pulled in to play as a left center-back alongside his harmonious partner Bui Hoang Viet Anh. In front of them is Le Pham Thanh Long - a ball recovery expert and also a teammate at Hanoi Police. Meanwhile, the trio of strikers Hai Long, Dinh Bac, Gia Hung, although not as strong as Xuan Son, Hoang Hen or Tai Loc, created more connection and harmony.
Coach Kim Sang-sik seems to have prepared combinations in the central defender and striker groups to be ready for each scenario in each match.
According to the schedule, the Vietnam national team will begin their journey to defend the championship at the ASEAN Cup 2026 with the opening match against the Timor Leste national team at 8:30 PM on July 24th in Chonburi, Thailand.
