Vietnam team plays Nepal: Van Lam 'gives up' 1.91m goalkeeper to start, personnel is very shocking

The list of 11 players of the Vietnamese team starting in the rematch against Nepal (7:30 p.m. today, October 14) has been revealed.

Vietnam team transforms with coach Kim Sang-sik

Coach Kim Sang-sik has announced the 11 players of the Vietnamese team that will start in the match against Nepal, taking place within the framework of the fourth round of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers at Thong Nhat Stadium at 7:30 p.m. today, October 14.

Standing in the goal is young goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien. The 22-year-old goalkeeper is starting for the national team for the first time in his career. Trung Kien has played 7 matches for the U.23 Vietnam team under coach Kim Sang-sik and proved his ability. Now is the next level, bringing a bigger challenge for the young goalkeeper to mature.

Goalkeeper Trung Kien is the main goalkeeper.

PHOTO: DONG NGUYEN KHANG

In defense, young center back Nguyen Hieu Minh will start alongside Do Duy Manh and Pham Xuan Manh. Hieu Minh is a new seed that Mr. Kim found in U.23 Vietnam. He plays for PVF-CAND, is competing in V-League this season and has shown progress. Like Trung Kien, this is the first time Hieu Minh has played for the Vietnam national team.

The midfield line remains unchanged, with Nguyen Hoang Duc and Le Pham Thanh Long holding the midfield, while Truong Tien Anh (right) and Cao Pendant Quang Vinh (left) will play on the wings.

Up front, coach Kim Sang-sik trusts the trio Nguyen Van Vi, Nguyen Thanh Nhan and Nguyen Tien Linh. This is the trio that played together in the second half of the previous match.

Coach Kim Sang-sik: 'The Vietnamese team must keep a clean sheet in the second leg against Nepal'

After a 3-1 victory over Nepal in the third round of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers (taking place on the evening of October 9), the Vietnamese team has 6 points after 3 matches, ranking second in Group F (Malaysia has 9 points). Nepal is at the bottom of the group, with no points yet.

Teacher Kim trusts Cao Pendant Quang Vinh

Tien Linh (22)...

Thanh Nhan (number 8) is in the starting lineup.

Hoang Duc (14), conductor of the midfield

Tien Anh plays the sideline very well.

Photo: Nguyen Khang

Vietnam team is determined to win. Song Manh will start together.

Coach Kim Sang-sik shared: "In the previous match, we won 3-1, and in the next match, the whole team must continue to win and play more confidently. The Nepal team will defend deep, so we must coordinate well, move reasonably and finish better. I hope the players will play with dedication when playing at Thong Nhat Stadium, in front of home fans.

In the last match, we shot 24 times and scored 3 goals. To score more goals, the players need to shoot more calmly and accurately. I believe they have the ability and confidence to do that. The Vietnamese team always wants to score, whether from set pieces or combination plays. We will try to practice and coordinate well to bring goals."

Meanwhile, Nepal coach Matt Ross said the Vietnamese team could make mistakes due to the pressure to win.

"The Nepalese players are always determined to win every time they take the field. However, I am concerned about whether the players have recovered or not. The players are not in the best condition yet. They are trying to recover and hope they can take the field with a comfortable mentality against Vietnam.

I understand that the Vietnamese team is under pressure to win from the audience and the media, so we will try to take advantage to find a favorable result. I believe Nepal will get points," coach Matt Ross affirmed.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/doi-tuyen-viet-nam-dau-nepal-van-lam-nhuong-thu-mon-191-m-bat-chinh-nhan-su-rat-soc-185251014161400896.htm