Final qualifying round for the 2027 Asian Cup: Who will replace Bui Tien Dung and Hoang Duc?

The Vietnamese team needs to be refreshed to play better in the return match against Nepal in the final qualifying round of the 2027 Asian Cup on October 14 at Thong Nhat Stadium (HCMC). Especially when the key players are not in the best physical condition.

The Vietnamese team practices in preparation for the rematch with Nepal - Photo: NK

"After the first leg, we can clearly see how the Vietnamese team needs to change. I think the first thing is that the team must use more hungry players in defense, then make adjustments in other areas," commented commentator Ngo Quang Tung.

Change for the better

In this training session, central defender Bui Tien Dung was not in the best physical condition. He was absent from the first training sessions of the Vietnamese team due to injury.

And when he had just returned to practice for two sessions, coach Kim Sang Sik arranged for him to start in the first leg of the 3-1 win over Nepal at Go Dau Stadium on October 9. But the 30-year-old midfielder only played one half, and then was absent from the return practice session on October 11, even though the whole team had a full day off to recover after the match.

In the first leg against Nepal, coach Kim Sang Sik fielded an aging defense. Besides Bui Tien Dung, the other two central defenders, Duy Manh and Pham Xuan Manh, are both 29 years old. In addition, goalkeeper Dang Van Lam is 32. Using the strongest strikers is understandable, as the Vietnamese team needed to score to win.

But not using any U23 players in defense is an overly cautious move by the Korean coach. While in reality, that experienced defense did not play as well as expected, even making mistakes.

Therefore, Bui Tien Dung's poor physical condition at this time is an opportunity for coach Kim Sang Sik to at least make a change in the defense. Mr. Kim has many alternatives for the left-sided center-back position such as Cao Pendant Quang Vinh, Nhat Minh, Nguyen Van Vi as used in the second half of the first leg against Nepal.

Among these, U23 center-back Nhat Minh is the best choice, not only bringing freshness to the defense which is no longer at its peak and lacks ambition in the Vietnamese national team, but also preparing for the SEA Games 33 at the end of the year. Nhat Minh's ability to participate in attacks is also quite impressive, as demonstrated at the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship.

Hoang Duc is not in the best form - Photo: TTO

Breakthrough for the midfield?

Hoang Duc is the number one central midfielder under coach Kim Sang Sik. However, in the first leg against Nepal, he didn't perform very impressively. Although he didn't suffer any major injuries, Hoang Duc stayed at the hotel and didn't train with the Vietnamese national team on October 11th. Therefore, this is an opportunity for coach Kim to consider using a new central midfield pairing for the second leg against Nepal to create better attacking momentum from the midfield.

At Go Dau Stadium, Hoang Duc and Le Pham Thanh Long started. When Thanh Long left the field in the 84th minute, the Vietnamese midfield brightened slightly with a long-range shot from substitute midfielder Duc Chien that nearly resulted in a goal. This could be a hint for coach Kim Sang Sik for the rematch. Hoang Duc and Duc Chien are the top choices.

But Duc Chien - Xuan Bac is also a notable choice to prepare for the future. Xuan Bac has played outstandingly in the U23 team, and now is the time for him to have a chance to mature more in the national team.

Nepal will undoubtedly continue to play a defensive counter-attacking style, similar to the first leg, which greatly troubled the Vietnamese team with its monotonous approach – lofting long balls from the flanks into the penalty area. Having a full squad instead of being down a player for the entire second half in the first leg will further help this South Asian team achieve their goal of securing a point.

Therefore, the Vietnamese team needs to play well from the midfield to "open up" Nepal's defense, allowing their strikers to score goals.

The first leg match has helped coach Kim Sang Sik understand Nepal better to have a reasonable personnel arrangement and playing style for the return match with Nepal. Hopefully, the Vietnam team will not disappoint the fans in the South.

Back to topic

NGUYEN KHOI

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/vong-loai-cuoi-asian-cup-2027-ai-thay-bui-tien-dung-va-hoang-duc-20251013102502099.htm