Vietnam team is about to play Nepal: What is coach Kim Sang Sik planning?

The match against Nepal is an opportunity for coach Kim Sang Sik to make important calculations, but there will also be risks that will give the captain of the Vietnamese team a headache.

A "two-in-one" gamble

With VFF setting important goals for coach Kim Sang Sik on two fronts: SEA Games 33 and the 2026 AFC U23 Championship, the Korean strategist will certainly prioritize U23 Vietnam.

Coach Kim Sang Sik continues to carry out the plan to simultaneously call up both the Vietnam national team and U23 team in the upcoming FIFA Days in October to complete the goals of the two teams.

In the upcoming training session of the Vietnam national team, it is likely that young faces such as Ly Duc, Van Khang, Dinh Bac... will continue to be named.

Of course, like recent training sessions, the Korean captain also reserved space for many U23 players to join the Vietnam national team with the aim of helping young players get used to a more competitive environment.

In addition to the relatively familiar names such as Nguyen Dinh Bac, Khuat Van Khang or Ly Duc,... new factors with good performance in U23 Vietnam recently such as Minh Phuc, Anh Quan, Phi Hoang are likely to be included in the Vietnam team.

This is a logical move aimed at gradually rejuvenating the squad, creating a new generation with sufficient courage and experience to shoulder the responsibility on the Vietnamese national team in the future.

Does the harm outweigh the benefits?

On the surface, coach Kim Sang Sik's plan seems perfectly logical. Nepal is a weak opponent, and this is the perfect time to experiment with new players and build a team for the future without worrying too much about the result. However, from another perspective, this strategy could be a double-edged sword.

In reality, it must be admitted that despite having a lot of potential, not many U23 Vietnam players at the present time can approach the level and experience of the national players. Giving them opportunities means taking away valuable playing time from the main squad.

However, to achieve his goals with the Vietnamese national team or the U23 Vietnamese team, coach Kim Sang Sik needs to plan carefully.

It's important to remember that the Vietnamese national team still has a crucial match against Malaysia in the Asian Cup qualifiers in March 2026 if they want to secure a place in the continental tournament.

To be able to turn the tide against an increasingly strong Malaysia, the key players of the Vietnamese national team need more time playing together to improve their understanding and fluidity in tactical maneuvers.

It can be said that coach Kim Sang Sik's plan is to look towards the long-term future, building a sustainable foundation from U23 to the national team. But the difficult problem for the Korean strategist is how to balance between testing young players and ensuring the necessary stability for the Vietnamese team in the important upcoming matches.

Will Mr. Kim Sang Sik prioritize building the future or focus on the present? The upcoming match against Nepal will be the clearest answer.

Vietnamnet.vn

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/tuyen-viet-nam-chuan-bi-dau-nepal-hlv-kim-sang-sik-toan-tinh-gi-2444035.html