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| Despite having several key players injured, the Vietnamese national team still aims to conquer Malaysia. |
Overcoming difficulties
The Vietnamese national team is focusing on preparing for the crucial match against Malaysia on June 10th. The squad list has given fans hope, but injuries have resulted in personnel losses during training. Even Cong Phuong, a highly anticipated player, had to leave the team at the last minute due to not having recovered from his injury in time.
This poses a significant challenge for the Vietnamese national team ahead of their clash with Malaysia in the final qualifying round of the 2027 Asian Cup, as coach Kim Sang Sik will not be able to field his best squad for the away match against one of the strongest opponents in Group F, who will be competing with Vietnam for the top spot.
Furthermore, this match also showcased the home team's new image, following Indonesia's naturalization policy. Information indicates that Malaysia is undergoing a massive naturalization of players ahead of their match against Vietnam. Coach Kim Sang Sik acknowledged this: “Malaysia will have 8-10 naturalized players. This creates many difficulties in tactical analysis. However, we will continue to monitor the situation to prepare as best as possible for the match against the home team, Malaysia.”
It's understandable that the home team is well-prepared for the match against Coach Kim Sang Sil's side, as they haven't beaten the Vietnamese national team at the senior level in at least the last 10 years. Defender Bui Tien Dung stated: “It's unfortunate that the Vietnamese national team has many players absent due to injury, especially before a match against a strong opponent like Malaysia. However, the thorough preparation for this match gives me and my teammates confidence that we will get points at Bukit Jalil Stadium in the next few days.”
There have been unforeseen difficulties, but experts and fans believe that coach Kim Sang Sik will have strategies to help his players overcome the challenges, and this is also seen as a test for coach Kim Sang Sik, after winning the ASEAN Cup 2024.
Identifying the strengths of Malaysia and Vietnam
In preparation for the match against Vietnam, Malaysia played two friendly matches against Cape Verde – a small African team with many naturalized players of Portuguese origin who compete in top European leagues – and surprisingly drew 1-1.
After that, the Malaysian team streamlined their squad and rested before facing the Vietnamese team. In Group F, both Vietnam and Malaysia have 3 points after the first round of matches, but we are ranked higher due to a better goal difference. Therefore, the Vietnamese team has an advantage in the race for the top spot in the group.
It's clear that the Malaysian national team is focusing all its efforts on the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers. The Football Association of Malaysia decided to assemble the team earlier than planned and called up 38 of the country's best football players. The list includes many mixed-race players, naturalized players, and those currently playing in Europe. Malaysia sees the return of two quality players: Dion Cools (Buriram United) and Hector Hevel (Portimonense).
Hevel, a player of Dutch, Spanish, and Malaysian descent, is the most anticipated addition to the Malaysian squad. The roster also includes several other notable foreign-born players such as Matthew Davies (Australia) and Corbin-Ong (Barbados); and naturalized players like Romel Morales (Colombia) and Paulo Josue (Brazil). These are all quality players aiming to defeat the Vietnamese national team.
Experts believe that the opponent's determination poses a significant challenge for the Vietnamese team. They also predict that coach Kim Sang Sik will prioritize safety over experimentation with different lineups. This is understandable, as a draw would still give Vietnam an advantage over Malaysia.
It is highly likely that coach Kim Sang Sik will only select players who have already been tested and are familiar with playing under high pressure. This means that young players or those with little experience will not have a chance to play, unless they are truly outstanding and the Korean coach wants to find some kind of breakthrough on the field.
While some players are injured, there's no need to worry too much because those positions aren't "untouchable" in the Vietnamese national team. Vietnam still has Nguyen Filip in goal. The defense still includes Thanh Chung, Do Duy Manh, Pham Xuan Manh, Van Vi, and newcomer Pendant Quang Vinh. Regarding Pendant Quang Vinh specifically, it's unclear what position coach Kim Sang Sik will give him, as this Vietnamese-born player is quite versatile, capable of playing left-sided center-back, left-back, and even left winger if needed.
There have been unforeseen difficulties, but experts and fans believe that coach Kim Sang Sik will have strategies to help his players overcome the challenges, and this is also seen as a test for coach Kim Sang Sik, after winning the ASEAN Cup 2024.
The midfield is expected to face a fierce clash with Malaysia's fast and strong midfield, which is certainly a top concern for coach Kim Sang Sik. While defensive midfielder Doan Ngoc Tan is unavailable, Duc Chien is available alongside Quang Hai and Hoang Duc, or perhaps one of Van Khang, Chau Ngoc Quang, or Hai Long. It's worth noting that Hai Long can also play in attack if coach Kim Sang Sik needs to make tactical adjustments based on the match's developments.
It is highly likely that Vietnam will adopt a defensive-counterattack strategy, as Malaysia will utilize their home advantage and naturalized players to put pressure on Vietnam. Therefore, just one effective counterattack will give Vietnam the advantage.
Source: https://baophuyen.vn/xa-hoi/202506/tu-the-nha-vo-dich-khu-vuc-5ac0bfd/
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