New factor adds color to Vietnam team

Coach Kim Sang-sik showed that he is willing to step out of his comfort zone by calling up new faces to the Vietnamese team, even though this may cause controversy.

Vietnam team does not play international friendly matches, why?

In the upcoming training session, the Vietnamese team will not have any international friendly matches but will only have practice matches with the Hanoi Police Club (September 4) and Nam Dinh (September 7). This is also a good opportunity for acting head coach Dinh Hong Vinh and coach Kim Sang-sik to find new factors to help the Vietnamese team add color and spark a strong vitality, especially when we are at a disadvantage in the race for tickets to the 2027 Asian Cup Finals.

That is the reason why Mr. Kim ignored a series of familiar faces such as Dang Van Lam, Nguyen Dinh Trieu, Que Ngoc Hai, Bui Hoang Viet Anh, Tran Dinh Trong, Bui Tien Dung... to choose newer factors.

Dinh Quang Kiet was given a chance to play for the Vietnamese national team.

PHOTO: DONG NGUYEN KHANG

In goal, Nguyen Van Viet and Quan Van Chuan were given the opportunity. Meanwhile, Dang Van Toi, Dinh Quang Kiet and Tran Hoang Phuc are expected to become new "shields" in the center of the defense. On the left wing, Phan Tuan Tai and Trieu Viet Hung will provide effective flank attacks. Ly Cong Hoang Anh creates energy in the midfield, while Pham Gia Hung can share the scoring burden with his seniors.

These are mostly players who have rarely been called up to the Vietnam national team under coach Kim Sang-sik, while Quang Kiet, Gia Hung, and Hoang Phuc all have their first taste of national team football. A notable point is that in this group, Quang Kiet and Hoang Phuc have not shown much professional value in the club shirt but are still called up. Therefore, the call-up of these two central defenders has caused some controversy. However, it is very possible that Mr. Kim has made a calculation, as both of these players possess ideal physiques and have a lot of potential for development in the future.

The Vietnamese team needs new faces to create a new breath of life, but also needs veteran players. Veterans like Quang Hai, Hoang Duc, Thanh Chung, Duy Manh, Tien Linh… are not only a professional support but also play the role of teaching assistants, helping the new group of players to quickly integrate into the football philosophy that Mr. Kim is pursuing. The experience of the core group will help the new teammates overcome the feeling of confusion and pressure when wearing the Vietnamese team shirt.

The harmonious combination of rookies and veterans will determine the quality of the team's playing style. Mr. Kim understands that new players need companionship and guidance to maximize their abilities, avoiding being swept away by public pressure or losing confidence after a few mistakes.

Overall, this list of players may not satisfy everyone, but it reflects coach Kim Sang-sik's determination to renew the team. Experiments can be controversial, but football always requires courage to change. When opponents have studied too much and understood the Vietnamese team too well after winning the AFF Cup 2024, Mr. Kim needs to boldly change to make a difference, while maintaining the hope of winning a ticket to the Asian Cup 2027. In addition, the addition of personnel will create healthy competition so that each position is always ready and eager to perform.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nhan-to-moi-giup-doi-tuyen-viet-nam-them-mau-sac-18525082620270645.htm