Vietnam team gives up the field to U.23
On the afternoon of June 11, the Vietnamese team returned home after a 0-4 defeat to Malaysia in the second round of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers (taking place on the evening of June 10). The players returned to their home teams to continue playing the final matches of the V-League and the National Cup.
Coach Kim Sang-sik said: "We have to admit that Malaysia has become significantly stronger thanks to the naturalized players. However, football always has miracles. If we prepare well for the rematch, I think we still have a chance to make up for the four goals we lost today."
Coach Kim Sang-sik temporarily says goodbye to his students
PHOTO: VFF
In October, the Vietnamese team will gather again to prepare for the two matches against Nepal in the third round (home, October 9) and fourth round (away, October 14) of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. In November, the team will gather again to prepare for the home match against Laos in the fifth round.
Why will it take another 4 months, that is, until October, for coach Kim Sang-sik and his team to gather again?
According to the competition schedule issued by the International Football Federation (FIFA) every year, if there is no major tournament, the teams will gather in March, June, September, October, November, each month for 2 weeks. Thus, the next FIFA Days gathering of the Vietnamese team will be in September.
However, also in September, U.23 Vietnam will gather to compete in the 2026 U.23 Asian qualifiers, with 3 matches against U.23 Yemen, U.23 Singapore and U.23 Bangladesh. The matches will take place at Viet Tri Stadium, Phu Tho province.
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According to the contract signed with the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), Coach Kim Sang-sik will be responsible for leading the U.23 Vietnam team in official tournaments. Therefore, Mr. Kim and the coaching staff will focus all their efforts on completing their tasks at the U.23 Vietnam team this month.
Therefore, the Vietnamese team did not compete, but gave the field to the young generation.
U.23 Vietnam to compete in U.23 Asian qualifiers in September
PHOTO: MINH TU
In previous training sessions of U.23 Vietnam, when coach Kim Sang-sik took care of the national team, the leading role was assigned to acting head coach Dinh Hong Vinh. In the official tournament, Mr. Kim will directly take charge.
Vietnam team needs more friendly matches
The Vietnamese team actively played friendly matches when coach Park Hang-seo or Philippe Troussier were still in charge.
For example, in 2023, the team led by Mr. Troussier had friendly matches with quality opponents such as Korea, Uzbekistan, Palestine, China, Syria... in just the period from June to October. Whether winning or losing, it is an experience for the players to improve.
In 2024, when coach Kim Sang-sik takes over, the Vietnamese team will also have quality "tests of fire" against Russia, Thailand, India, or quality Korean teams such as Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Daegu.
However, the Vietnamese team will play very few friendly matches in 2025. In the March training session, the team only had 1 friendly match with Cambodia. In June, while the opponent Malaysia had 2 very high-quality friendly matches with Cape Verde (ranked 72nd in the world) to test the squad, the Vietnamese team only played internal friendly matches with U.22 Vietnam. A match that left very little professional value.
Come September, when the opponents will take advantage of the free time in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers to gather for friendly matches, the Vietnamese team will give up the field to the U.23 team.
By October and November, when the Asian Cup qualifying cycle returns, the national team may only be able to play a maximum of one friendly match (in November).
It is not easy for coach Kim Sang-sik to upgrade the playing style of the Vietnamese team in this short time in charge, as he will have to divide his strength for the 2026 U.23 Asian qualifiers and the 33rd SEA Games (taking place in December 2025).
Many challenges await the Vietnamese team and coach Kim in the coming time!
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/vi-sao-hlv-kim-sang-sik-tam-chia-tay-doi-tuyen-viet-nam-trong-4-thang-toi-18525061119251786.htm
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