Golden opportunity for new elements of Vietnam team: Coach Kim Sang-sik monitors remotely

Coach Kim Sang-sik is focusing all his attention on the U.23 Vietnam team competing for a ticket to the U.23 Asian Cup, but the screening process for the Vietnam team is still ongoing through testing a series of new players.

What new factors have emerged?

Both the Vietnamese national team and the U23 team will simultaneously convene on August 28th, with the highlight being coach Kim Sang-sik directly leading the U23 team with the goal of qualifying for the U23 Asian Championship. The Vietnamese national team, led by interim coach Dinh Hong Vinh, will play friendly matches against Nam Dinh FC and Hanoi Police FC on September 4th and 7th, respectively, in preparation for their Asian Cup 2027 qualifying match against Nepal on October 14th. Therefore, this training camp will prioritize testing and evaluating new players. Among the 24 players, 10 are familiar faces who have either rarely or never been called up under coach Kim Sang-sik. These include goalkeepers Quan Van Chuan and Nguyen Van Viet; defenders Dang Van Toi, Phan Tuan Tai, Tran Hoang Phuc, and Dinh Quang Kiet; midfielders Trieu Viet Hung, Ly Cong Hoang Anh, and Nguyen Duc Chien; and forward Pham Gia Hung.

Doan Ngoc Tan makes a comeback to the national team.

Duc Chien (left) has been playing outstandingly with Ninh Binh FC and has been called up to the Vietnam national team.

PHOTO: MINH TU

Young player Vo Hoang Minh Khoa

Coach Kim Sang-sik and the Vietnam U23 team are training in Phu Tho and will receive continuous updates on the Vietnam national team (training in Hanoi ) from assistant coach Dinh Hong Vinh. This is similar to the method Vinh used when he took the U23 team to China for a friendly match in March 2025, reporting to Coach Kim so he could select the core squad for the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship. Commentator Ngo Quang Tung said: "The fact that the Vietnam national team is not playing any official matches will be an opportunity to maintain the players' rhythm and test some new individuals. The upcoming training camp will be very significant for some players who are on the borderline between 'good' and 'not good' in terms of professional ability. The players all yearn to contribute to the Vietnam national team, but to be named in the official squad in October, each of them must prove their true capabilities."

The Vietnamese national team continues to REVIEW and SELECTE players.

During the preparations for the 2024 AFF Cup, coach Kim Sang-sik trusted the data from his Korean and Vietnamese assistants, boldly using lesser-known players who fit his philosophy perfectly, turning them into heroes. This time, the process of reviewing and refreshing the squad continues as players like Nguyen Filip, Nguyen Dinh Trieu, Dang Van Lam, Bui Tien Dung, Bui Hoang Viet Anh… make way for players currently in top form at their clubs.

Trieu Viet Hung (right cover)

Ly Cong Hoang Anh (left) deserves to be called back to the national team.

Dang Van Toi (left) was given the opportunity.

The Vietnamese national team has undergone widespread personnel changes, from goalkeepers to forwards. This training camp includes long-awaited names like Nguyen Duc Chien, Ly Cong Hoang Anh, and Trieu Viet Hung. However, there are also big surprises such as 18-year-old center-back Dinh Quang Kiet (HAGL), striker Pham Gia Hung (Ninh Binh FC), and center-back Tran Hoang Phuc (Ho Chi Minh City Police team)... Their inclusion confirms they deserve a chance. Whether these players will fit into the team's system and compete with established names is another matter entirely.

Commentator Ngo Quang Tung remarked: "Interim coach Dinh Hong Vinh will explore whether some new faces are suitable for the Vietnamese national team's playing system. Of course, it's difficult to guarantee very clear results from this short training camp with only two matches against domestic clubs. But it will help maintain the national team's competitive spirit, similar to the transformation needed to win the 2024 AFF Cup."

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/co-hoi-vang-cho-nhung-nhan-to-moi-doi-tuyen-viet-nam-hlv-kim-sang-sik-giam-sat-tu-xa-185250825232435596.htm