Vietnam team will play better in the rematch against Nepal

Once they understand their opponents and are really warmed up, the Vietnamese team is capable of beating Nepal with a more convincing score in the rematch taking place on October 14 at Thong Nhat Stadium (HCMC).

MR. KIM HAS UNDERSTOOD HIS OPPONENT

"The Vietnamese team won and scored 3 goals against Nepal. For me, that was already a successful result," coach Kim Sang-sik briefly commented after Vietnam's 3-1 victory over Nepal in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, which took place on the evening of October 9. Although there were still many problems, such as the strikers wasting opportunities (on average, they scored 1 goal for every 8 shots), the defense losing focus (only kept 1 clean sheet in the last 9 matches), or the lack of variation in the playing style, the important thing is that the Vietnamese team won.

The Vietnamese team (left) will play better in the match on October 14.

PHOTO: INDEPENDENCE

After more than a year of coaching, Mr. Kim Sang-sik has not created a remarkable highlight in the operation of the Vietnamese team. However, the AFF Cup 2024 championship, along with a favorable journey in the Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers (will rise to the top if the AFC rules Malaysia lose) shows that Hoang Duc and his teammates have not deviated from the orbit.

Even if the visiting team Nepal had had all their players in the second half, it is still possible to believe that the Vietnamese team would have won, because coach Kim and his team played much better after the break. That is also the typical style of the Vietnamese team under coach Kim: starting the game slowly, even somewhat boringly, but once they understand the opponent's tempo and playing style, the "machine" will operate smoothly.

In the rematch on October 14, the Vietnamese team will no longer be uncertain about the opponent ranked 176th in the world , who only occasionally participates in the Asian Cup qualifiers or World Cup qualifiers like Nepal. The opponent's strength has been revealed, such as the long ball style, leaning towards strength and collision, and physical weakness. Coach Kim Sang-sik sent a series of young, strong players such as Thanh Nhan, Dinh Bac, Gia Hung onto the field in the second half, helping the Vietnamese team to put pressure on Nepal fiercely and score, because he clearly understood that the opponent would soon run out of energy after having to fight back for an hour. This is valuable data for Coach Kim Sang-sik to outline a more suitable strategy in the approach in the second leg.

With the U.23 stars taking to the field, will the team have a different look?

Coach Kim Sang-sik prioritized experience in the first leg against Nepal, when all 11 starting players were 25 years old or older. U.23 players such as Thanh Nhan (entered the field in the 63rd minute) or Dinh Bac (in the 84th minute) only started from the bench in the second half. Mr. Kim's caution is understandable, because without fully understanding Nepal's playing level, and having to win the first leg to create a psychological springboard, the Vietnamese team cannot take risks with the young players.

However, when they are really "warmed up", in a high mood because they just overcame a tough match, and understand the opponent's strengths and weaknesses, the Vietnamese team will play better in the rematch on October 14.

Coach Kim Sang-sik needs to re-evaluate the performance of some key players, as some names such as central defender Tien Dung or striker Tuan Hai seem to no longer be suitable for the high-intensity operation of the Vietnamese team. Tuan Hai is out of place in both the 3-4-3 and 4-2-4 systems as he is not used to the role of a winger (he did not create any dangerous chances in 63 minutes of play). Meanwhile, Tien Dung is only average in defense. The 30-year-old central defender's average footwork makes the Vietnamese team miss the opportunity to develop the ball from the back, and can only play long balls and high balls.

Coach Kim Sang-sik still has factors that can help the Vietnamese team explode more. For example, the left-sided center-back position has Nhat Minh, a rare left-footed center-back in Vietnamese football. Nhat Minh can replace Tien Dung in the 3-man defense, helping the left wing to have more energy with high-passing phases. As for the attack, Thanh Nhan deserves more opportunities thanks to his ability to penetrate and press persistently, or Dinh Bac will bring a new look to the direct attacks.

To give the Vietnamese team a new look, coach Kim Sang-sik needs to break the "safe mold". The Korean strategist can make changes when he sees the whole picture. Hopefully, the habit of playing better and better, which he has maintained from the national team to the U.23 Vietnam team, will be effective in the rematch.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/doi-tuyen-viet-nam-se-da-hay-hon-o-man-tai-dau-nepal-18525101021091779.htm