Unique substitutions like coach Kim Sang-sik: U.23 Vietnam still... plays and wins!

Coach Kim Sang-sik's way of switching and using personnel is turning U.23 Vietnam into an unpredictable team.

U.23 Vietnam wins again thanks to 'supporting actor'

In the 1-0 victory over U.23 Yemen on the evening of September 9, coach Kim Sang-sik made enough substitutions to... make history for U.23 Vietnam.

When the match had just reached the 40th minute, Mr. Kim decided to withdraw all 3 strikers including Ngoc My, Van Khang and Quoc Viet from the field, to put Van Thuan, Dinh Bac and Thanh Nhan on the field. At that time, the score was 0-0. The result was still enough for U.23 Vietnam to be sure to continue with the top spot in the group.

Thanh Nhan (red shirt) scored when coming off the bench

PHOTO: MINH TU

The substitution of three players in the first half, all for technical reasons rather than injuries, is a rare event even in world football. Coach Kim Sang-sik also admitted that these were the changes he planned for the second half. However, the developments on the field forced the Korean coach to act early, when the attacking trio he initially selected could not show themselves.

Like many previous matches, Mr. Kim's substitution brought a goal. Van Thuan assisted Thanh Nhan to score the only goal, helping U.23 Vietnam reach the final round of U.23 Asia with 9 points after 3 matches.

U.23 Vietnam wins all matches to enter Asian finals, Coach Kim explains 'strange' substitution method

3 out of 4 goals scored by U.23 Vietnam in the 2026 U.23 Asian qualifiers were scored by substitute players.

In the opening match, Le Viktor headed the ball into the net of U.23 Bangladesh after coming on in the second half. In the match against U.23 Singapore, Van Thuan became the "hero" with a header, after also coming on as a substitute.

Van Thuan shined with 1 goal and 1 assist after 2 matches, even though he only played the role of a backup player.

PHOTO: MINH TU

In the final match against U.23 Yemen, the main role belonged to Thanh Nhan, a player who initially did not have a starting position.

Turn the situation around

To be fair, U.23 Vietnam did not play completely convincingly in the 2026 U.23 Asia qualifiers.

Missed many opportunities (and unlucky with 3 shots hitting the crossbar) against U.23 Bangladesh, deadlocked against U.23 Singapore, struggled for more than 2/3 of the match against U.23 Yemen when the rhythm of play was "broken".

However, U.23 Vietnam still won. The 7-match winning streak from the U.23 Southeast Asian tournament until now is the result of the ability to read the game and predict situations, which coach Kim Sang-sik has shown throughout the national team and U.23.

The Korean strategist is gradually shaping a stable philosophy for U.23 Vietnam: solid defense, quick ball circulation, attacking the second line, and diverse wing play. However, when the playing style is not overwhelming enough to... win, Coach Kim Sang-sik's ability to judge and adapt has made a real difference.

Each of Mr. Kim's substitutions has its own purpose. For example, in the match against U.23 Yemen, the trio of Thanh Nhan, Dinh Bac and Van Thuan helped U.23 Vietnam have a more interesting game.

Mr. Kim's strategic talent helps U.23 Vietnam reverse the situation.

PHOTO: MINH TU

Dinh Bac became the "lighthouse" to receive passes from the back line thanks to his good ball control and dribbling, Van Thuan moved aggressively to plow and destroy the opponent, and Thanh Nhan penetrated the penalty area with penetrating runs from the right wing, where U.23 Yemen exposed many gaps.

The flexible use of players also shows that coach Kim Sang-sik is not loyal to just one playing style, but always has a "plan B".

Thanh Nhan shines at the right time, U.23 Vietnam wins ticket to U.23 Asia Finals 2026

With a diverse playing style, U.23 Vietnam will be even more unpredictable in the SEA Games and the U.23 Asian Cup, when opponents will have to be wary of not only the 11 starting players, but also the "cards up his sleeve", and the potential moves that Mr. Kim always hides.

Watch live and complete Group C - 2026 AFC U23 Championship Qualifiers onFPT Play, at: http://fptplay.vn

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/thay-nguoi-doc-la-nhu-hlv-kim-sang-sik-u23-viet-nam-van-cu-da-la-thang-185250910073946482.htm