Vietnam Team: After the victory is...

Hoang Duc alone in the middle of the field is not enough to help the Vietnamese team play creatively and innovatively.

The hard-fought victory over Nepal on the evening of October 14 once again exposed the inherent problem of the Vietnamese team under coach Kim Sang-sik: the way they play. The bad weather at Thong Nhat Stadium significantly affected the technical skills of both teams. However, it is undeniable that the Vietnamese team played without cohesion and style.

In the first leg, the Vietnamese team played quite stalemate and won after Nepal fell into a man-less situation. In the second leg, Kim Sang-sik's team needed an own goal from Suman Srestha to get 3 points. The 1-0 scoreline was clearly not enough to satisfy fans, especially when the Vietnamese team could not really impose their playing style and game against a weaker opponent.

While the strikers missed many opportunities, the defense was also more fragile due to the lack of experienced, high-class players like the previous generation. The remaining players like Bui Tien Dung and Duy Manh were actually on the other side of the slope, no longer as energetic and motivated as before.

Vietnam only beat Nepal by a narrow margin thanks to an own goal by their opponent.

The midfield lacks strength and creativity without Do Hung Dung, Nguyen Quang Hai, or Tuan Anh. In the ASEAN Cup 2024, coach Kim Sang-sik has Nguyen Xuan Son playing explosively and very gracefully. Without striker Nam Dinh , the Vietnamese team's attack cannot put pressure on the opponent.

Reaching out, a difficult problem

In fact, it is difficult to blame coach Kim Sang-sik when he does not have as good “material” as his predecessor, compatriot Park Hang-seo. Mr. Park owns the golden generation of Vietnamese football with faces that possess all the necessary qualities to flourish.

The Vietnamese team is also in the process of generational transition, with the old pillars gradually being replaced by the younger generation. Khuat Van Khang, Dinh Bac, Hieu Minh, Pham Ly Duc, Quoc Viet… all need time to mature. At the same age as the above players, Nguyen Quang Hai and Doan Van Hau have already become famous in the region.

However, this reality also requires Vietnamese football players to consolidate their domestic foundation, especially when the pressure from the wave of naturalized players in Southeast Asia increases. It can cause those in charge to be distracted and lose their steadfastness in investment policies due to the pressure of short-term results. The Vietnamese team will find it difficult to improve their playing style if they lack good materials.