Golden opportunity for new elements of Vietnam team: Coach Kim Sang-sik monitors from afar

Coach Kim Sang-sik is focusing all his attention on the U.23 Vietnam team competing for a ticket to the U.23 Asian Cup, but the screening process for the Vietnam team is still ongoing through testing a series of new players.

What new factor appears?

The two teams Vietnam and U.23 Vietnam will gather at the same time on August 28, with the highlight being coach Kim Sang-sik directly leading the U.23 Vietnam team with the goal of passing the qualifying round of the U.23 Asian Cup. The Vietnam team, led by interim coach Dinh Hong Vinh, will play friendly matches with Nam Dinh Club and Hanoi Police Club on September 4 and 7, preparing for the match against Nepal in the qualifying round of the 2027 Asian Cup on October 14. Therefore, this gathering will prioritize testing and experimenting with new elements. Among the 24 players, Vietnam has 10 faces who have either rarely or not been called up under coach Kim Sang-sik. We can name the two goalkeepers Quan Van Chuan and Nguyen Van Viet; defenders Dang Van Toi, Phan Tuan Tai, Tran Hoang Phuc, Dinh Quang Kiet; midfielders Trieu Viet Hung, Ly Cong Hoang Anh, Nguyen Duc Chien and striker Pham Gia Hung.

Doan Ngoc Tan returns to the national team

Duc Chien (left) played outstandingly with Ninh Binh FC and was called up to the Vietnamese national team.

PHOTO: MINH TU

Young player Vo Hoang Minh Khoa

Coach Kim Sang-sik and the U.23 Vietnam team gathered in Phu Tho and will be continuously updated on the situation of the Vietnam team (gathering in Hanoi ) by assistant Dinh Hong Vinh. This is similar to the formula of Mr. Vinh taking U.23 Vietnam to China for a friendly match in March 2025, reporting to Mr. Kim to screen and select the U.23 Vietnam team to win the 2025 Southeast Asian U.23 Championship. Commentator Ngo Quang Tung said: "The fact that the Vietnam team does not compete officially will be an opportunity to maintain the rhythm of activities for the players, testing some new individuals. The upcoming training session will be of great significance to some players who are on the border between "yes and no" in terms of expertise. The players are all eager to contribute to the Vietnam team, but to be on the official competition list in October, each of them must prove their true ability."

Vietnam team continues to REVIEW AND SCREEN

During the preparation phase for the AFF Cup 2024, coach Kim Sang-sik trusted the data from Korean and Vietnamese assistants, and from there boldly used less famous players who were very suitable for his philosophy, turning them into heroes. This time, the review and renewal process continued when Nguyen Filip, Nguyen Dinh Trieu, Dang Van Lam, Bui Tien Dung, Bui Hoang Viet Anh... gave way to players who were performing well at their clubs.

Trieu Viet Hung (right cover)

Ly Cong Hoang Anh (left) deserves to be called back to the national team.

Dang Van Toi (left) was given a chance.

The personnel changes appear widely, from the goalkeeper position to the forward line of the Vietnam team. In the list of players who have been expected for a long time, such as Nguyen Duc Chien, Ly Cong Hoang Anh, Trieu Viet Hung. But there are also big surprises such as 18-year-old central defender Dinh Quang Kiet (HAGL), striker Pham Gia Hung (Ninh Binh FC), central defender Tran Hoang Phuc (HCM City Police team)... Being called up confirms that they deserve to be given the opportunity. But whether these players are suitable for the operation of the Vietnam team, in competition with familiar names, is another matter.

Commentator Ngo Quang Tung commented: "Interim coach Dinh Hong Vinh will find out whether some new faces are suitable for the Vietnamese team's competition system or not. Of course, it is difficult to ensure that the results are too clear in a short training session with 2 matches against domestic clubs. But it will help maintain the competitive motivation for the national team, like the transformation to win the AFF Cup 2024".

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/co-hoi-vang-cho-nhung-nhan-to-moi-doi-tuyen-viet-nam-hlv-kim-sang-sik-giam-sat-tu-xa-185250825232435596.htm