Waiting for the "test by fire" for the Vietnamese national team.

VHO - The Vietnamese national team will play an international friendly match against the Bangladesh national team during the FIFA Days in March 2026. This will be a valuable "test" for coach Kim Sang-sik's team before their match against Malaysia in the final qualifying round of the 2027 Asian Cup.

The match was necessary.

Based on the current FIFA rankings, the Vietnamese national team (ranked 108th in the world ) is naturally considered stronger than Bangladesh (ranked 180th).

However, in the context of regional football where the gap in skill levels is narrowing, the coaching staff understands that this is not just a match for "getting a feel for the game." On the contrary, this match has a dual significance: maintaining the fitness and form of key players while also providing an opportunity to test new players.

The Bangladesh national team has been making progress recently.

Bangladesh, nicknamed "The Bengal Tigers," are considered a suitable opponent in terms of skill. The South Asian representatives are familiar faces in Asian Football Confederation (AFC) competitions and have shown clear signs of progress recently.

In their two most recent matches, they drew 2-2 with Nepal in a fast-paced friendly and made a name for themselves by beating India 1-0 in the final qualifying round of the 2027 Asian Cup.

These positive results show that Bangladesh is no longer an easy opponent to bully. The South Asian team is building a physically demanding, disciplined style of play and is ready to play aggressively. This is exactly the kind of challenge that coach Kim Sang-sik needs for the Vietnamese national team as they refine their tactical framework.

Besides personnel factors, the match against Bangladesh is also an important test of tactical execution. After a period of adjusting their playing style under coach Kim Sang-sik, the Vietnamese national team needs truly competitive matches to assess their effectiveness before entering the official matches.

Given Bangladesh's rising form, the match on March 26th promises to be anything but easy. However, if they make good use of their opportunities, this will be an ideal stepping stone for the Vietnamese team to refine their squad, boost confidence, and aim for bigger goals in the future.

Aiming for a big goal

Currently, the Vietnamese national team is at a disadvantage, trailing Malaysia by 3 points in the final round of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. This means that in the return match on March 31st, the "Golden Star Warriors" have no other option but a resounding victory if they want to open the door to the next round. The pressure is clear, and therefore, all preparations at this time must be geared towards maximum effectiveness.

The match against Bangladesh was necessary preparation for the Vietnamese team before the crucial match against Malaysia.

The match against Bangladesh was seen as a crucial test for the team before the crucial clash with Malaysia. The South Asian representatives have recently shown significant improvement with their physically demanding style of play, disciplined organization, and fierce fighting spirit.

This is the ideal type of opponent for the Vietnamese team to assess their ball distribution skills against teams that play a high-pressing style – something that is likely to be repeated when they face Malaysia.

Experts believe that the most important goal for coach Kim Sang-sik in this match is not just the result. What he needs are concrete "achievements," from tactical execution and the connection between the lines to the performance of each individual player.

The allocation of playing time for key players will also be carefully calculated to ensure they are in the best physical condition for the crucial match at the end of the month.

Another noteworthy point is the opportunity for new players. The match against Bangladesh is seen as a suitable time for the coaching staff to boldly experiment and find more backup options for the starting lineup.

With time running out before the rematch against Malaysia, the "test match" against Bangladesh is therefore of special significance. A convincing performance would not only help the Vietnamese team refine their tactical framework but also provide a much-needed morale boost.

Coach Kim Sang-sik and his team understand that to achieve their goal of qualifying for the 2027 Asian Cup, they must start with a solid foundation.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/cho-man-thu-lua-cua-doi-tuyen-viet-nam-206915.html