U22 Vietnam and new look with coach Kim Sang Sik

After more than 5 years of success at all levels of the national team, Vietnamese football is entering a cycle of almost comprehensive innovation at the upcoming tournament in Indonesia. Coach Kim Sang Sik is expected to portray the image of U22 Vietnam with many positive colors in the tournament where he is assigned the goal of reigning at the top of the region for the third time.

The performance of U22 Vietnam at the upcoming 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship will provide many clues for the near future of the Vietnamese team.

Right from the initial call-up list, it is clear that Coach Kim Sang Sik's top priority is players who are playing in the V-League and the First Division. Names like Ly Duc (HAGL), Nhat Minh (Hai Phong), Duc Anh ( SHB Da Nang) in defense, or Van Khang (Viettel), Van Truong (Hanoi FC), Viktor Le (Ha Tinh) in midfield are proof of that direction. Instead of creating an experimental team, the Korean coach aims for stability and pragmatism. This is of utmost importance when the goal is to defend the U23 Southeast Asian title.

In attack, "King of Youth League" Nguyen Quoc Viet, who just helped Ninh Binh get promoted to V-League, is gradually asserting his role as the number 1 striker, despite not playing in the highest league. This shows that the Korean coach evaluates players based on performance and tactical adaptability, rather than simply the tournament they are participating in.

Compared to his predecessors who favored high pressing or counter-attacking defense, coach Kim Sang Sik brought to U22 Vietnam a midfield that tends to control the ball well and control the tempo of the match.

The presence of Van Khang, Van Truong and Viktor Le forms an ideal "ball possession" trio. All three play regularly in the V-League, have technique, short-medium passing ability and possess mature tactical thinking. This can help U22 Vietnam avoid the monotonous, predictable playing style that has appeared at previous youth levels.

If Van Khang, Van Truong or Viktor Le are the "brains", then Nguyen Quoc Viet is the "spearhead" of U22 Vietnam. In the recent friendly match against U22 Chinese Taipei, Quoc Viet not only scored but was also a frequent destination for central combinations or through balls from the wings.

He is capable of playing both as a centre forward and a winger, has good ball handling skills in a small space and is particularly sharp in choosing a position. With his current high form, plus experience from many international youth tournaments, Quoc Viet brings a flexible attacking plan. The 22-year-old striker can both finish quickly in the penalty area and stretch the opponent's defense.

Most likely, coach Kim Sang Sik will use a 3-4-3 formation, with Quoc Viet playing highest, supported by Van Khang behind and the two wings being Viktor Le and a fast name like Thai Son or Phi Hoang.

Regarding defense, although highly rated with experienced central defenders like Ly Duc and Nhat Minh, the defense of U22 Vietnam still needs time to bond. The last two friendly matches have not clearly shown high defensive pressure from the opponent.

It is worth noting that in previous U23 Southeast Asian tournaments, U23 Vietnam won with a solid playing style, making few mistakes. In Coach Kim's scheme, the defense will not only defend but also participate in launching attacks from the back line. Choosing central defenders with the ability to pass long and advance is part of this calculation.

However, we need to monitor more in internal training sessions and the match against U23 Laos (July 19) to see how the defense will operate when facing quick counter-attacks, something that Southeast Asian teams often exploit.

Another goal of coach Kim Sang Sik in Indonesia in the near future is to both aim for results and build a long-term foundation. The 2025 U23 Southeast Asian title is a specific goal, but more importantly, it is to shape a unique, modern style of play that is suitable for Vietnamese football in the very near future.

The presence of young players with diverse backgrounds, from traditional training such as SLNA, PVF to overseas Vietnamese factors such as Viktor Le also shows a more open and integrated mindset. That is a positive signal in the comprehensive reconstruction of youth football.

The 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship is not only a playground to test the squad, but also the first test for the Kim Sang Sik dynasty in Vietnamese youth football. If the controlled, technical and organized style of play is maintained, U22 Vietnam will not only have the opportunity to defend the throne, but also build a "new version" with great potential for the near future.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/u22-viet-nam-va-dien-mao-moi-cung-hlv-kim-sang-sik-20250710160157776.htm