Coach Kim Sang Sik shifts his focus to finding talent in the Vietnam U22 team - Photo: VFF
* Expert PHAN ANH TU:
Short-term goals also have their advantages.
Historically, the Vietnamese national team has always needed long periods of focused training to develop teamwork and cohesion in order to achieve success. Achieving professionalism through short-term training camps is difficult because the physical fitness and professionalism of Vietnamese players are not yet at a high level.
Success at the ASEAN Cup 2024 is an example of how well the Vietnamese national team prepared. Training and friendly matches in South Korea fostered cohesion within the team.
The fact that coach Kim Sang Sik or the VFF (Vietnam Football Federation) did not convene the Vietnamese national team during the FIFA Days in September is simply a matter of objectives.
In terms of objectives, the SEA Games and ASEAN Cup are very important because achievements in these two tournaments are highly valued. Many foreign coaches have failed with Vietnamese football because they did not achieve success in the SEA Games.
Winning the gold medal at the 33rd SEA Games at the end of the year is a crucial goal for Vietnamese football. Therefore, it's understandable that coach Kim Sang Sik is focusing on the Vietnam U22 team. We should also share this sentiment with Mr. Kim and the VFF.
The short-term goal of achieving regional success also has its advantages in showcasing Vietnam's standing, boosting its morale, and creating momentum for Vietnamese football.
Indonesia and Malaysia have become stronger thanks to naturalized foreign players. Therefore, the future development path for Vietnamese football needs careful consideration. We cannot simply follow the naturalization model, while the Japanese youth training model is very elaborate.
We've held many workshops and developed strategies, but the challenge lies in focusing resources on implementation.
* Commentator VU QUANG HUY:
Youth football is a healing remedy and a catalyst for inner strength.
Coach Kim Sang Sik's decision not to play international friendly matches during the FIFA Days in June or to not to assemble the national team during the FIFA Days in September may stem from the heavy 0-4 defeat against host nation Malaysia.
To be honest, the chances of the Vietnamese national team turning the tables and securing a ticket to the 2027 Asian Cup finals are very slim. Waiting for Malaysia to slip up against Laos or Nepal is impossible. Even Vietnam beating Malaysia by 5 goals at My Dinh Stadium is unlikely.
With their current squad, the Vietnamese national team will find it difficult to beat Malaysia or Indonesia. Therefore, perhaps Mr. Kim wants to work directly with the U22 Vietnamese team to find a boost from the young players.
Before discussing a new strategy, let's look back at youth football; it's both a healing remedy and a way to boost internal strength.
Wanting to achieve success at the SEA Games and also seeing the potential of the Vietnamese U22 team, Mr. Kim wants to personally lead the team in the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers next September.
For now, finding talented young players in the U22 team and helping them develop is also a good approach.
* Expert DOAN MINH XUONG:
Not taking advantage of FIFA Days would also be a shame.
During the FIFA Days in September, the Vietnamese national team did not play any matches but instead focused on the U22 Vietnamese team competing in the 2026 U23 Asian Championship qualifiers. This was aimed at fulfilling tasks for 2025 and simultaneously scouting new talents for the national team. This was also a strategic move.
However, it's a shame that the Vietnamese national team didn't take advantage of FIFA Days to play international friendly matches. This is because it's an opportunity for the team to train and for the players to compete internationally – something that Vietnamese football sorely lacks.
In strong football nations, people often try to take advantage of FIFA Days to train and keep their national teams in top form.
The blanket of Vietnamese football is too small, so we have to keep pulling and tucking it. This leads to situations where pulling it up keeps our heads warm but our feet cold, and vice versa. It all depends on our resources. After 25 years of professional football, Vietnamese football still cannot generate its own revenue.
Stronger clubs lead to a stronger league and national team. Therefore, a better legal framework and policies are needed for change. With clubs constantly struggling, the VFF, with its limited resources, can only invest superficially to achieve short-term results.
NGUYEN KHOI - Tuoitre.vn
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/lua-chon-muc-tieu-nao-cho-bong-da-viet-nam-20250614210414143.htm
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