Vietnam team is more "fiery" thanks to new factor

Coach Kim Sang-sik may shuffle positions, giving opportunities to some new players in the match against Laos on November 19 in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.

Vietnam team must change

The Vietnamese team is still chasing a ticket to the 2027 Asian Cup with second place in the group, with 9 points after 4 matches. Although it is almost certain to win a ticket to the finals if the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) fails to appeal the case of forging naturalized player documents, it is difficult to expect the Vietnamese team to go far with the current players and playing style.

The Vietnamese team needs to play more aggressively in the match against Laos.

PHOTO: NHAT ANH

In both wins against Nepal (rounds 3 and 4) in October, the weaknesses of the Vietnamese team were clearly exposed. The defense was not solid despite not being under much pressure, the midfield lacked creativity and was unable to maintain a coherent rhythm, and the attack was disjointed, missing many scoring opportunities. This performance may have helped the Vietnamese team qualify, but to repeat the achievement of reaching the quarterfinals in 2019, coach Kim Sang-sik and his team still have a long way to go.

That is why the door to the national team has never been easier to access for players who are not even known to many people. In the September training session, Mr. Kim agreed to let Dinh Quang Kiet (HAGL), Tran Hoang Phuc (HCMC Police Club), Pham Gia Hung ( Ninh Binh Club) join the team. Currently, Gia Hung continues to be retained, along with Khong Minh Gia Bao (HCMC Police Club), Nguyen Tran Viet Cuong (Becamex HCMC) are the new recruits. Coach Kim Sang-sik needs a new breeze to recreate the playing style, instead of relying on pieces that have lost their form.

Of course, not all reforms bring "sweet fruit". 2 years ago, coach Philippe Troussier failed because the young generation did not meet the requirements to replace the seniors. Similar risks are likely to appear with Mr. Kim's team. Therefore, it is not surprising that besides about 4 or 5 new players, the Korean coach still prioritizes the old generation. Just have to be safe to... win first.

However, with an underdog like Laos, experiments will (and must) appear. Only by trying and daring to accept mistakes can the Vietnamese team find a way to "transform". The playing style and class will not be improved if the old model of using players is maintained.

NEW LOOK

In the return match against Nepal, Mr. Kim arranged for new player Nguyen Hieu Minh to start. Immediately, the PVF-CAND player left an impression with a dangerous header that forced the opponent to score an own goal. Goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien also entered and exited appropriately, caught the ball well and kept a clean sheet in his debut match.

Furthermore, at the AFF Cup 2024, Coach Kim Sang-sik's belief in Nguyen Dinh Trieu, Doan Ngoc Tan, Bui Vi Hao... bore fruit. The Vietnamese team won the Southeast Asian championship thanks to "ordinary" players, but they shone when placed in the right system.

So, before the chance for Gia Bao or Viet Cuong to start in the match against Laos, besides the strength of these players, we need to ask: has Mr. Kim built a good enough strategy for the new players to shine as soon as they are installed?

In defense, the Vietnamese team probably does not need to worry about the great pressure from Laos. Opportunities for Gia Bao will appear, especially in the second half, when Vietnam needs a fast, strong and fiery central defender to apply high pressure, crushing the opponent's counter-attacking intentions. And in attack, Viet Cuong and Gia Hung can enter the field in the last 20-25 minutes. The striker of Becamex TP.HCM is good at pressing and accelerating and has the skills of a modern striker. Especially, when Xuan Son returns, ready to become a "lighthouse" to guide the attacking system, space will open up for new strikers to show their abilities.

Viet Cuong, Gia Hung and Gia Bao were not only born in 2000 (meaning they are at the age of "ripe"), but also full of desire. Blending the enthusiasm of a rookie and the experience of a veteran to create a perfect cocktail requires the skill of coach Kim Sang-sik.

The Vietnamese team needs to continue to adapt and change, taking advantage of each match to hone their tactics. So that when the U.23 team returns in March next year, Mr. Kim will have a system that is strong enough to compete in the AFF Cup and Asian Cup.

Although 9 days of training may not be enough to upgrade their playing style, with small adjustments, plus increased morale thanks to the competitiveness of new players, the Vietnamese team will change their clothes to win big against Laos.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/doi-tuyen-viet-nam-mau-lua-hon-nho-nhan-to-moi-185251114230123569.htm