U23 Vietnam: The man who solves the attack problem for coach Kim Sang Sik

The problems of public goods

Looking at the statistics, U23 Vietnam scored 8 goals after 4 matches at the U23 Southeast Asian tournament, an average of 2 goals/match. In theory, this is not a bad performance. However, the reality on the field reveals a completely different story.

Throughout the journey to the throne, coach Kim Sang Sik's strikers wasted countless good opportunities. Statistics show that U23 Vietnam launched many shots in each match, but the accuracy rate only reached 32.5%, an alarming number.

Despite winning the championship, the performance of the U23 Vietnam team's attack in the U23 Southeast Asian tournament is alarming.

Expected strikers like Quoc Viet, Dinh Bac, Van Khang or young talent Ngoc My all proved to be quite unlucky in front of the opponent's goal, despite their extensive experience playing both domestically and internationally.

The deadlock of the attack is most evident in the fact that U23 Vietnam often has to rely on the shining moments of the players in the back line. The only goal in the final match by midfielder Cong Phuong is the clearest proof, or the central defender Hieu Minh is among the players who score the most goals in the team, for example.

Who gives hope to Mr. Kim Sang Sik?

In that context, the return of Nguyen Thanh Nhan brings great hope to U23 Vietnam. His absence from the U23 Southeast Asian tournament due to injury is a big loss.

Now fully recovered, Thanh Nhan is showing impressive form. This striker just scored a classy goal for PVF-CAND in the match against defending champion Thep Xanh Nam Dinh in round 3 of V-League 2025/26.

Speed, intelligent movement and tenacity, along with good finishing ability, are the qualities that the U23 Vietnam attack seems to be lacking.

Thanh Nhan's return is considered a lifesaver for coach Kim Sang Sik. Photo: CLB

Besides Thanh Nhan, trust is also placed in Nguyen Dinh Bac. Although his performance is not at its peak, continuous exposure at the club level in the V-League and the Southeast Asian Cup 1 at the beginning of the 2025/26 season will help this striker gain more confidence and improve his skills, to continue to prove his greater value in the U23 Vietnam shirt in the U23 Asian qualifiers.

In addition, the appearance of rookie Tran Thanh Trung is also an interesting unknown. The Vietnamese midfielder from Bulgaria is highly appreciated for his tactical vision and passing ability.

Although not a striker, a player with good "card dealing" ability like Thanh Trung can completely create breakthrough passes, putting strikers in more favorable positions to score.

With what is available, Coach Kim Sang Sik is hoping that the combination of old and new factors will create a new vitality, helping U23 Vietnam completely solve the headache in the attack and win a ticket to the U23 Asian Cup finals in Saudi Arabia next year in the most convincing way.

After witnessing the impressive cheering of Vietnamese fans at the 2025 Southeast Asian Women's Football Championship, Coach Kim Sang Sik also... wished that his team would receive similar "support" in the U23 Asian qualifiers in Phu Tho . Mr. Kim Sang Sik said: "At the 2024 AFF Cup in Viet Tri or the 2025 Southeast Asian Women's Championship, we all witnessed the stands glowing with the red color of the national flag. That was truly a wonderful image and a great source of motivation for the players. We really hope that the passionate and inspiring atmosphere will continue to be recreated in the U23 Asian qualifiers."
Previously, VFF announced the prices of the matches of the U23 Asian qualifiers: 100, 200 and 300 thousand VND/ticket, sold exclusively online on the OneU application. Ticket sales are divided into 3 phases, August 25-27; August 28 to September 2 and September 2 to September 5.

Vietnamnet.vn

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/u23-viet-nam-nguoi-giai-bai-toan-hang-cong-cho-hlv-kim-sang-sik-2437303.html