Vietnam team is stronger thanks to youth, determined to win both matches against Nepal

The simultaneous appearance of U.23 stars helps the Vietnamese team become more competitive and versatile in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.

T CHEAPER, MORE HEALTHIER

As predicted by experts, the Vietnamese team was completely rejuvenated in the October training session, when coach Kim Sang-sik called up goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien, defenders Nguyen Hieu Minh, Nguyen Nhat Minh, Nguyen Phi Hoang, midfielders Khuat Van Khang, Nguyen Xuan Bac and striker Nguyen Thanh Nhan.

Xuan Bac (12) first stepped into the Vietnamese national team

PHOTO: MINH TU

Among them, only Trung Kien, Van Khang and Thanh Nhan have played for the Vietnamese national team. Nhat Minh, Hieu Minh, Phi Hoang and Xuan Bac are all rookies. In fact, Hieu Minh and Xuan Bac are just having their first season playing in the V-League. However, for coach Kim Sang-sik, a good CV is not as important as effort. The value of tireless efforts has brought young players who were "unknown" just a few months ago to now become national team players. That is coach Kim's direct message: tickets to the national team are always reserved for those who are persistent and stubborn enough.

This is not the first time coach Kim Sang-sik has rejuvenated. In September 2024, the Korean strategist surprised everyone by placing young rookies like Nguyen Van Truong and Bui Vi Hao in a friendly match with Russia. "They are the future of Vietnamese football, so I want to nurture them and give them opportunities," Mr. Kim shared.

During the last 4 months of 2024, the Vietnamese team welcomed the young players with open arms. However, only Vi Hao and Van Khang remained in the starting lineup of the AFF Cup 2024. Coach Kim Sang-sik wants to give opportunities to young players, but he also does not want his students to be "forced to mature". Young players only play when they are truly ready both physically and mentally.

Now is the time for Mr. Kim's U.23 Vietnam team to start maturing. After 7 matches in the 2026 U.23 Asian qualifiers and 2025 U.23 Southeast Asia qualifiers, Coach Kim Sang-sik has seen the most promising faces in all 3 lines. Trung Kien is a "steel wall" with 5 clean sheets, along with many important saves. Hieu Minh and Nhat Minh have created a solid, well-coordinated defense thanks to their ability to stick together, read situations and compete consistently. Phi Hoang is truly a breath of fresh air on the left wing with his effective crosses and passes. Xuan Bac has become an interesting discovery in the midfield, and Mr. Kim commented that he could become an all-round midfielder. As for Thanh Nhan, her ability to work tirelessly is a plus point for the 22-year-old striker to compete with his seniors in the Vietnam team.

"The Vietnamese team will be more competitive thanks to young faces, that is necessary," a player shared with Thanh Nien. Coach Kim Sang-sik will mold the "new version" of the Vietnamese team from today.

A WORTHY RETURN

However, the Vietnamese team is not only strong thanks to the young generation. Coach Kim's team is also valuable because of the experience of the veterans. In this training session, the return of goalkeeper Dang Van Lam is the most notable.

The last time Van Lam started for the Vietnam national team was more than a year ago, in a friendly match against the Russian team (September 2024) at My Dinh Stadium. After that, Van Lam was no longer a priority for coach Kim Sang-sik and assistant Lee Woon-jae. In the AFF Cup 2024, goalkeeper Nguyen Dinh Trieu was the number one choice, while Nguyen Filip and Trung Kien were on the bench. In the most recent match against Malaysia, Nguyen Filip started.

During the 11 unbeaten matches of the Vietnamese team, Van Lam was not present. He silently contributed to Ninh Binh Club in the first division. Then, when the ancient capital team returned to V-League, Van Lam's talent was once again recognized. The goalkeeper born in 1993 became the hero in the 2-0 victory over Nam Dinh with 4 saves, then continuously "flew" to help Ninh Binh get 1 valuable point on Hai Phong field. Lam "Tay" blocked 2 one-on-one shots from Hai Phong foreign players, along with a series of moves in and out, reading situations accurately.

Although Van Lam's legs may still be his weak point, for a goalkeeper, saving goals is still the number one priority. And that is something Van Lam has in abundance. With the "giant" with half Russian blood returning, the goal of the Vietnamese national team will be very solid.

The Vietnamese team will play Nepal in the first leg of the Asian Cup qualifiers on October 9 at Go Dau Stadium and the second leg on October 14 at Thong Nhat Stadium.

Overseas Vietnamese player Nguyen Vadim was called to the Vietnam U.23 team.

Also yesterday, coach Kim Sang-sik announced the list of players for the U.23 Vietnam team. Notably, this training session includes the presence of Vietnamese-American player Nguyen Vadim (SHB Da Nang Club). Nguyen Vadim has a Vietnamese father and a Russian mother. He is 20 years old and 1.75 m tall. Familiar faces such as Pham Ly Duc, Van Thuan, Van Truong, Ngoc My, etc., are all present in this training session. The U.23 Vietnam team will train on October 4 in Hanoi.

Thanh Thang

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/doi-tuyen-viet-nam-manh-me-hon-nho-suc-tre-quyet-thang-nepal-ca-2-tran-1852509302248122.htm