"Testing the waters" before the finish line.

VHO - The Vietnamese national team will play an international friendly match against Bangladesh during the FIFA Days in March. This "test match" at Hang Day Stadium (Hanoi) on March 26th will help coach Kim Sang-sik's players "warm up" before the crucial match against Malaysia in the final qualifying round of the 2027 Asian Cup five days later.

The match against Bangladesh will provide better preparation for the Vietnamese team before the decisive clash with Malaysia. Photo: HUU TUAN

High-quality "green team"

The Vietnamese team (ranked 108th in the world ) is considered stronger than Bangladesh, ranked 180th. However, the difference in rankings does not diminish the match's appeal, as the South Asian team possesses a rather exceptional squad.

Notably, the 38-player Bangladeshi squad brought to Vietnam is almost the strongest possible lineup, featuring seven Bangladeshi players who have developed their skills in footballing nations such as England, Finland, the USA, Canada, and Denmark. This is a crucial resource that has helped the South Asian team improve its professional quality in recent years.

The person placing high hopes on this squad is head coach Javier Penato – a coach who previously worked at the FC Barcelona Academy in the US before taking on the role of leading the Bangladesh national team. In the squad that Penato brought to Hanoi , the most notable name is undoubtedly midfielder Hamza Choudhury. The 28-year-old midfielder is emerging as Bangladesh's brightest star. After only 7 appearances for the national team, Choudhury has scored 4 goals, an impressive number for a defensive midfielder.

Besides Choudhury, the Bangladesh national team also boasts several notable players of foreign origin. Center-back Tariq Zaki grew up in the Finnish football environment and has played for the youth national teams of this Nordic country from U16 to U19.

Cuban midfielder Mitchell previously played in the youth teams before signing a professional contract with Sunderland in England. Another name attracting attention is midfielder Shamit Shome. In addition, the South Asian team also has players of foreign origin such as Zayyan Ahmed (USA), Kirmanee Shah (Canada), and captain Jamal Bhuyan (Denmark).

In terms of form, from 2025 to the present, Bangladesh has a record of 2 wins, 4 draws, and 2 losses in official matches. However, the team no longer has a chance to compete for a spot in the 2027 Asian Cup finals, as they are currently third in their group in the final qualifying round, 6 points behind group leader Singapore after 5 matches.

Take advantage of this opportunity to prepare better.

The match against Bangladesh is seen as a valuable opportunity for coach Kim Sang-sik to assess the squad and refine the playing style before the crucial match of the campaign. If they make good use of this "test," the Vietnamese team will not only gain more professional preparation but also build a favorable psychological momentum before the "do-or-die" match on their journey to conquer a ticket to the 2027 Asian Cup Finals.

Currently, the Vietnamese team is at a disadvantage, trailing Malaysia by 3 points in the standings. This means that in the return match on March 31st, the "Golden Star Warriors" will have almost no other option but to win by a large enough margin to open the door to the next round. Pressure is inevitable, so all preparations at this time must be geared towards maximum effectiveness.

The match against Bangladesh is seen as a real test for the Vietnamese team. Their opponents have recently shown significant improvement with a physically demanding, well-organized style of play and a very fierce fighting spirit. These elements have many similarities to the style of Malaysia, the opponent that coach Kim Sang-sik's team will face a few days later.

Therefore, the match against Bangladesh is not simply a friendly. This will be an opportunity for the coaching staff to test the Vietnamese team's ball distribution skills against opponents who play a high-pressing game – something that is likely to be repeated in the match against Malaysia. Finding effective ways to escape pressing, maintaining a stable attacking tempo, and minimizing defensive errors will be crucial challenges that the team needs to address.

Experts believe that Coach Kim Sang-sik's biggest goal in this match is not the final score. What he needs are concrete "rewards" in terms of professional performance. From tactical execution and the connection between the lines to the form and adaptability of each individual player, everything will be closely monitored.

Simultaneously, the fitness of key players will also be carefully considered. The coaching staff will likely make appropriate adjustments to match durations to ensure players are in peak physical condition for the crucial match at the end of the month. In a short but high-pressure period, proper energy management can make all the difference.

With limited preparation time remaining before the rematch against Malaysia, the "test match" against Bangladesh is therefore of special significance. A convincing performance would not only help the Vietnamese team refine their tactical framework but also provide a much-needed morale boost for the entire squad. Coach Kim Sang-sik and his players understand that to secure a ticket to the 2027 Asian Cup, they must start with a solid foundation.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/thu-lua-truoc-vach-dich-210472.html