Factors that can help U.23 Vietnam succeed in the Asian qualifiers

Keeping the squad that won the 2025 U.23 Southeast Asian Championship is an important foundation, but coach Kim Sang-sik certainly also knows that U.23 Vietnam needs more novelty in approach, tactics and personnel to become more unpredictable in the 2026 U.23 Asian qualifiers.

After winning the 2025 Southeast Asian U.23 Championship, the Vietnam U.23 team continues to enter a new phase with great momentum and expectations. Success in the region is a stepping stone, but the bigger goal is the 2026 Asian U.23 qualifiers, where opponents will bring completely different challenges to coach Kim Sang-sik and his team. This is also the time for the Korean coach to continue to prove his ability as a coach, not only maintaining stability but also finding ways to create breakthroughs.

The highlight of U.23 Vietnam is the familiar framework that has been formed. Faces such as goalkeeper Nguyen Trung Kien, the central defender trio Ly Duc - Hieu Minh - Nhat Minh, the midfield with Anh Quan, Van Truong, Xuan Bac, Phi Hoang and the attack line with Van Khang, Dinh Bac, Cong Phuong have built trust. This is the framework that helps the team operate smoothly at the 2025 U.23 Southeast Asian tournament, demonstrating cohesion and discipline in the playing style.

However, stability comes with the risk of being easily predicted by opponents. After the recent tournament, regional and continental opponents have had enough data to carefully study U.23 Vietnam. From pressing, defensive organization to attacking tactics, coach Kim Sang-sik and his team will find it difficult to create surprises if they just repeat the old formula. In modern football, diversity and creativity are the key factors to maintain the advantage.

Thanh Nhan (10) is a fast player of U.23 Vietnam.

PHOTO: MINH TU

Therefore, the new elements this time can increase the competitiveness and bring flexibility to the playing style of U.23 Vietnam. In particular, the return of striker Nguyen Thanh Nhan (PVF-CAND) is a notable highlight. Thanh Nhan with his speed and good ability to move without the ball can make a difference in the attack.

However, it is not easy for the Korean strategist to immediately make big changes in the framework. Stability is something that needs to be maintained. The problem is how to balance stability and change. The approach can lie in flexible adjustments: rotating players according to each opponent, changing the tactical diagram at each time or preparing plans to create surprises.

The U.23 Asian qualifiers will be more intense than the Southeast Asian tournament. U.23 Vietnam needs a breakthrough to overcome the challenge, and coach Kim Sang-sik has both a stable foundation and promising unknowns. If these two factors can be balanced, the young Vietnamese team will be unpredictable and have a higher chance of reaching success.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/yeu-to-co-the-giup-u23-viet-nam-thanh-cong-o-vong-loai-chau-a-185250902113002294.htm