What do we see from the eliminated faces?

The shortlist of U23 Vietnam to participate in the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 tournament announced by coach Kim Sang Sik has caused quite a few surprises. Some of the eliminated names really create big question marks, because they are not only capable but also used to be regular choices in youth and club tournaments.

The cases of Duc Viet, Van Cuong or overseas Vietnamese striker Bui Alex are typical examples when they are highly appreciated by experts or were once the expectations for the U23 Vietnam attack.

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Coach Kim Sang Sik's decision to eliminate a German-Vietnamese striker raises many questions

Notably, not long before, coach Kim Sang Sik eliminated Nguyen Van Thuan - the best young player of the V-League 2024/25 season, or Dinh Xuan Tien also created many surprises.

Of course, when highly-rated players with experience are eliminated, the question arises as to what criteria is being prioritized by Mr. Kim Sang Sik? However, the answer lies in the consistency in the way the Korean strategist selects players.

Mr. Kim Sang Sik "green and ripe"

The decision to drop many big names shows that coach Kim Sang Sik is not influenced by fame or public pressure. Instead, he prioritizes tactical suitability and team spirit.

From the way Van Thuan – a player who has improved rapidly and had an excellent season – was eliminated, to the way Bui Alex was left out despite the media attention, it can be seen that Mr. Kim is focusing on the criteria of consistent playing style and discipline. And in that machine, no one has “privileges”, whether they are former national team players or young stars.

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Coach Kim Sang Sik must prove that his choice of personnel for U23 Vietnam is correct.

This approach helps coach Kim Sang Sik control the locker room – something that not all foreign coaches do well when working in Vietnam. A young team like U23 Vietnam needs discipline, and the Korean captain has clearly shown his decisiveness in the role of shaping the team's personnel.

The “green” way of selecting people, that is, being transparent, straightforward, and uncompromising, is clearly a positive sign. In football, a strong squad requires not only technique but also organization and fighting spirit. Mr. Kim Sang Sik is laying the foundation for that, with decisions that are not easy.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/u23-viet-nam-khi-hlv-kim-sang-sik-choi-tat-tay-2420989.html