Upgrading the Vietnamese team, easy or difficult?

RECEPTION FOR REJUVENATION

The biggest success of the Vietnamese national team at the 2024 AFF Cup was the return of veteran players with a very high level of determination, intense desire, and very stable form. From Thanh Chung, Duy Manh, and Tien Dung in defense to Van Thanh, Ngoc Quang, and Tuan Hai supporting in the midfield, they all provided a high level of reassurance. Tien Linh shone before Xuan Son's appearance. The "late bloomer" Doan Ngoc Tan made a very distinct impression, and Van Vi also earned great favor for his professional ability and high level of effort.

Without Xuan Son, the Vietnamese national team will have to find a better solution in the attacking line.

Coach Kim also fielded several young players to test their skills and gain experience. Among them, Vi Hao and Hai Long somewhat demonstrated their abilities with goals and contributions to the team's overall play. However, Van Khang, Thanh Binh, and Tien Anh have yet to show consistent progress and are not yet truly confident. Of course, these players will still play an important role in the Vietnamese national team's journey, but the players themselves need to make more significant progress and prove their capabilities in the V-League to continue receiving opportunities from Coach Kim Sang-sik.

In the near future, the Vietnamese national team will likely continue to add promising young players who have shown remarkable progress recently. For example, the performances of Van Do and Dinh Bac ( Hanoi Police team); and Thai Son (Thanh Hoa team) at the ASEAN Club Championship will provide a basis for the coaching staff to consider. The impressive form of some players for Phu Dong Ninh Binh Club in the First Division will also offer valuable insights for scouts.

The core of the team has been established with key players; now it's time to refresh, innovate, and create breakthroughs with talented young players.

REFORM AND IMPROVE THE GAMEPLAY

Overall, the Vietnamese national team's playing style at the 2024 AFF Cup is nothing new; it remains a pragmatic approach with a clear defensive-counterattacking philosophy. The key to their success is that all the players are already very familiar with the tactical demands of this style of play, plus coach Kim has made sensible additions like Van Vi, Ngoc Tan, and Xuan Son to complete the squad. Key players like Hoang Duc and Xuan Son have shone brightly, living up to expectations.

The style of play wasn't particularly great, smooth, or captivating; however, it had a stable operating system, with clearly defined and easily executed roles and responsibilities. This allowed players to comfortably complete their individual tasks before gaining more confidence in creativity and making breakthroughs.

But the Asian Cup is a different arena, with new opponents, and especially our playing style, strengths, and weaknesses have been studied to some extent by our opponents, who are trying to neutralize them. Without innovation and change, the team is likely to be figured out and defeated.

With limited preparation time and Xuan Son's absence yet, Coach Kim faces a difficult challenge. However, the appearance of Jason Quang Vinh, currently playing for Hanoi Police FC (who will likely be naturalized in March – the time of the national team's training camp), and the quality matches of the V-League hopefully will introduce more promising players to the national team.

By not resting on their laurels, continuing to train, refresh, and improve themselves, the Vietnamese national team will undoubtedly continue to move forward sustainably.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/hlv-kim-sang-sik-va-nhiem-vu-cap-bach-nang-cap-doi-tuyen-viet-nam-de-hay-kho-185250210223112297.htm