Revealing the reason why Coach Kim always maintains stability in the especially important area of ​​U.23 Vietnam

Coach Kim Sang-sik shuffled a number of positions in the starting lineup for the match against U.23 Singapore, compared to the previous match against U.23 Bangladesh. However, there were a few positions on the field that remained almost unchanged.

What did Coach Kim do with U.23 Vietnam?

Coach Kim Sang-sik made many changes to the starting lineup in the match against U.23 Singapore last night (September 6), compared to the match against U.23 Bangladesh 3 days ago. However, if you pay close attention, Coach Kim Sang-sik's changes mainly appeared in the attack and on the two wings. In the central defense, Mr. Kim kept most of the personnel he trusted the most.

Coach Kim Sang-sik always maintains consistency with some key players of the Vietnam U.23 team.

Photo: Minh Tu

In the goal is still goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien, the central defenders standing right in front of the goalkeeper who is playing for HAGL Club are still Nguyen Hieu Minh and Nguyen Nhat Minh. Mr. Kim Sang-sik kept 3/4 positions in the center of the defense stable, proving that he highly appreciates the importance of this area (the only person in this area changed compared to the previous match is central defender Dang Tuan Phong replacing Pham Ly Duc).

Even during the match against U.23 Singapore, it was not until the 75th minute that coach Kim Sang-sik changed the central defenders: central defender Nhat Minh left the field to make way for striker Ngoc My. Because, at that time (still tied 0-0), U.23 Vietnam had clearly determined their intention to flood into U.23 Singapore's half to find a goal. At that time, we did not need many people in the defense anymore.

Before that, the U.23 Vietnam defense system was kept extremely stable, with familiar, experienced, highly skilled personnel who showed good coordination on the field.

Support for the success of U.23 Vietnam

This stability is very important. Unlike the attack line which always needs creativity and needs newness, so it must constantly change, the primary goal of the defense line is to ensure safety and absolutely not make mistakes. If the players in the front line can make 1 or a few mistakes in handling the ball, in coordination, then with the players in the back line, especially the central defenders and goalkeepers, if they make just 1 mistake, sometimes the home team will have to concede a goal and pay a very high price.

U.23 Vietnam (right) has not conceded any goals after 2 matches of the 2026 U.23 Asian qualifiers

Photo: VFF

Therefore, coach Kim Sang-sik is not foolish enough to disrupt his defense. Mr. Kim has no reason to change a defense that is performing so well. The Korean coach's consistency has continued to lead to very high efficiency so far. After 2 matches in the 2026 AFC U-23 Championship qualifiers, U.23 Vietnam has not conceded a goal. Coach Kim Sang-sik's team is also the only team in Group C that has not conceded a goal so far.

A solid defense will continue to be the springboard for the U.23 Vietnam team to hope for a good result against U.23 Yemen in the coming days. As long as the defense does its job well against the young West Asian team, we will top Group C, and will officially approach the ticket to the final round of the U.23 Asian Cup early next year.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/lo-ly-do-hlv-kim-luon-giu-on-dinh-khu-vuc-dac-biet-quan-trong-cua-u23-viet-nam-185250907001600788.htm