Vietnam team 'changes blood' of its force
The 0-4 defeat to Malaysia in the second round of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers has made the Vietnamese team's chances of advancing to the next round much less likely.
Thanks to the "blood transfusion" strategy of 13 naturalized players (mainly Malays), Malaysia has significantly upgraded its strength, thus being able to win big against coach Kim Sang-sik's team.
If the current force is maintained, it will be difficult for the Vietnamese team to turn the tide. The restructuring and purification of the force must be carried out urgently to turn the situation around with the spirit of "while there is life, there is hope". Currently, coach Kim Sang-sik has only two options: to take advantage of the new source of players (overseas Vietnamese and naturalized foreign players), or to promote young players to the team to bring about a difference in playing style, competitiveness and motivation.
The young generation needs more time to mature, but has shown potential to play for the national team.
PHOTO: DONG NGUYEN KHANG
Regarding the youth force, the 2025 U.23 Southeast Asian Championship has come at the right time, like a cool rain watering the "field" of Vietnamese youth football that has been lacking in confidence in the past 2 years, due to unimpressive achievements in youth tournaments as well as the lack of young players capable of competing in the national team. Coach Kim Sang-sik really wants to transfer the force, and his young students have a support of confidence.
When the key players of the 2003 - 2004 generation such as goalkeeper Trung Kien, central defender Ly Duc, Nhat Minh, midfielder Van Truong, Van Khang, striker Quoc Viet, Dinh Bac... return to the winning track and gradually get used to the pressure, combined with many interesting factors such as Cong Phuong, Anh Quan, the Vietnamese team has a young generation with enough potential to succeed their seniors.
Before the rematch with Malaysia in March 2026, Mr. Kim's young generation still has 6 months to accumulate and progress. The 2026 U.23 Asian Qualifiers and the 33rd SEA Games will be the steps that U.23 Vietnam must go through before opening the door to the national team.
Vietnam national team needs radical reform
PHOTO: NGOC LINH
Coach Kim Sang-sik confirmed to Thanh Nien Newspaper: "The Vietnamese team is ready to welcome the U.23 players. We have a list of promising names, although we cannot share them now, I believe they will develop well and become the future of the team."
The overseas Vietnamese force has arrived.
In the next 6 months, the Vietnamese team will likely welcome more overseas Vietnamese and naturalized foreign players.
That is the case of Adou Minh, a French midfielder who has just moved to Hanoi Police Club (CAHN Club) from Ha Tinh. Adou Minh was born in 1997 and trained at Grenoble Club’s youth academy (France) before venturing into semi-professional leagues. Adou Minh only needed 1 season to prove his ability, when he entered the V-League’s typical squad last season.
Sharing with Thanh Nien Newspaper, defender Cao Pendant Quang Vinh (Adou Minh's close friend) highly appreciated the ability of the new recruit of CAHN Club. Most likely, Adou Minh will have Vietnamese nationality in 2025. At CAHN Club, Nguyen Filip and Quang Vinh have both successfully naturalized and next may be Adou Minh's turn.
Adou Minh (middle) in CAHN club shirt
CAHN Club
In addition, Kevin Pham Ba, a player born in 1994 and currently playing for Nam Dinh Club, can also receive Vietnamese citizenship in 2025.
For young players, rookie Tran Thanh Trung (formerly known as Do Nguyen Thanh Chung) has Vietnamese nationality and can join the national team right away in the October training session. Born in 2005, Thanh Trung used to play for U.18 and U.21 Bulgaria, is considered an all-round midfielder with good tactical vision, technique and physique, and can "work well" in the European football environment despite being very young.
Brandon Ly, a defender who used to play for U.21 Burnley, will be called up by Mr. Kim to test his skills for U.23 Vietnam before considering the national team.
Tran Thanh Trung is the expected contract of Ninh Binh FC
PHOTO: NINH BINH FC
As for naturalized foreign players, in addition to the return of Xuan Son, Hendrio Araujo (Hanoi Club) and Janclesio (CAHN Club) may complete the naturalization procedure before March next year to be in time for the national team.
Hendrio trained at La Masia (Barcelona) and is a top-class midfielder who has ever played in the V-League. Meanwhile, center-back Janclesio used to play for Becamex TP.HCM and Ha Tinh. The Brazilian foreign player has impressive tackling and defensive skills.
In ideal conditions, the Vietnamese team can field 5 overseas Vietnamese (Nguyen Filip, Quang Vinh, Adou Minh, Thanh Trung, Pham Ba), 2 naturalized foreign players (Hendrio, Janclesio) along with "Mr. Ta" Nguyen Xuan Son.
With the maturity of the young generation, we can believe that Vietnam will show a more classy and powerful appearance to turn the tables against Malaysia.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/doi-tuyen-viet-nam-se-manh-hon-o-man-tai-dau-malaysia-co-co-hoi-nguoc-dong-185250802154022703.htm
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