U.23 Vietnam 'plans' the attack line: Coach Kim does not lack talent, but...

U.23 Vietnam has many talented strikers such as Dinh Bac, Quoc Viet, Thanh Nhan or Ngoc My, but to have a good attack, coach Kim Sang-sik needs more time.

U.23 Vietnam gathers attacking talents

In the list of U.23 Vietnam's training and friendly matches in China, the most talented strikers are all present.

They are Nguyen Dinh Bac ( Hanoi Police Club), Nguyen Thanh Nhan (PVF-CAND), Nguyen Ngoc My (Thanh Hoa), Nguyen Quoc Viet (Ninh Binh) and Bui Vi Hao (Becamex Ho Chi Minh City).

4 out of 5 of these players have played for the Vietnam national team, although with different frequencies of appearance.

Dinh Bac (white shirt) in U.23 Vietnam jersey

PHOTO: MINH TU

The most prominent case is Dinh Bac, with a starting position at the 2023 Asian Cup. He joined the national team in October 2023, leaving his mark with a goal against the Philippines (Vietnam won 2-0) a month later. Dinh Bac's peak was a reverse header, along with a series of confident moves in the opening match against Japan at the 2023 Asian Cup. At the age of 19, Dinh Bac has become a "rising star" of the Vietnamese team.

However, Dinh Bac then stagnated. Coach Philippe Troussier, who discovered and opened the door for Dinh Bac to join the national team, was fired in March 2024. Coach Kim Sang-sik, although calling Bac up to the national team a couple of times, only let his student play from the bench. That was also a low point for Dinh Bac, with the scandal at Quang Nam Club, and a series of struggling days at CAHN Club.

It was not until July, when U.23 Vietnam won the 2025 Southeast Asian U.23 Championship with Dinh Bac winning the best player award, that the striker born in 2004 really returned.

He has proven his ability in the role of leading the attack, thanks to his ability to operate independently, dribble, head the ball and create breakthroughs. Dinh Bac has experienced many events and is ready to become the pioneer of U.23 Vietnam at SEA Games 33.

Joining the national team in November 2023 with Dinh Bac is Thanh Nhan. The striker who won the top scorer title in the 2023 - 2024 first division is also a "phenomenon" that coach Troussier discovered in Tay Ninh , then convinced the team to send him to PVF for training.

Ngoc My (number 19) is the discovery of coach Popov

PHOTO: MINH TU

Unlike Dinh Bac, Thanh Nhan has not been able to break out. This is only the first season, the striker born in 2003 plays in the V-League. Thanh Nhan missed out on the Southeast Asian U.23 tournament and is now gradually regaining his position in the Vietnam U.23. However, 2 years of experience playing in the U.23 team still helps Thanh Nhan be a stubborn, resilient and worth-watching striker on the right wing.

Bui Vi Hao is the most recent U.23 player to be given a starting position in more than 1 match by coach Kim Sang-sik. Thanks to his good running ability, persistent pressing, hard work and good defensive support, Vi Hao was assigned by Mr. Kim to increase the long-range defense ability of the Vietnamese team in the AFF Cup 2024 (starting 4 matches).

However, injury has made Vi Hao's form a big question mark, making the player born in 2003 need time to get into the rhythm.

As for Quoc Viet (a reserve player in the national team) and Ngoc My (never called up for the national team), U.23 Vietnam is clearly a more suitable shirt. Quoc Viet is trying to compete in Ninh Binh, and Ngoc My, although playing in the main team, may have an impact on the form and confidence of the young star promoted to the first team by coach Velizar Popov.

Assembling problem

Despite having many talented players, the U.23 Vietnam attack line has not been able to operate as a smooth and coherent whole.

U.23 Vietnam can be stronger

PHOTO: DONG NGUYEN KHANG

In the last 6 matches in all competitions, U.23 Vietnam has only scored 8 goals (average 1.33 goals/match). Among the strikers, only Dinh Bac (2 goals), Ngoc My (1 goal) and Thanh Nhan (1 goal) have scored in the past tournaments under coach Kim Sang-sik.

The striker's performance is not even better than that of central defenders like Nguyen Hieu Minh (2 goals) or Pham Ly Duc (1 goal).

Vietnam U.23 won mainly thanks to the good exploitation of set pieces and high balls (all 8 goals in the 2025 U.23 Southeast Asian Championship came from high balls). The core of the success of Mr. Kim and his team in recent times comes from a solid defense (6/8 clean sheets), rather than a powerful attack. Mr. Kim's students can hold the ball well, but their coordination is still out of sync, missing many scoring opportunities. The Korean coach admitted that his students are still "immature" in decision-making, lacking confidence and alertness in front of the goal.

With the current U.23 Vietnam squad, that is clearly a waste. Dinh Bac and his teammates have the qualities to make their attacks more attractive, systematic and worth watching.

After the friendly tournament in China, hopefully U.23 Vietnam will gain more experience to contribute the most attractive football.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/u23-viet-nam-quy-hoach-hang-cong-thay-kim-khong-thieu-nhan-tai-nhung-185251114105527965.htm