Coach Kim Sang-sik can rest assured about U.23 Vietnam

After successes such as winning the 2025 U.23 Southeast Asian Championship and winning tickets to the 2026 U.23 Asian Finals, the members of the U.23 Vietnam team continue to bring positive signals.

STABILITY OF THE PILLARS

With stable performance, the key players of the U.23 Vietnam team continue to be trusted by the coaches at their clubs in the V-League. In defense, goalkeeper Trung Kien (HAGL Club), center back Hieu Minh (PVF-CAND Club), Nhat Minh (Hai Phong Club) are important pieces of the home team, often playing from the start. The two full-backs of the U.23 Vietnam team also played well and left a strong impression on the attacking front. Anh Quan had 2 assists for PVF-CAND Club, while Phi Hoang made 1 pass for Da Nang Club. Ly Duc has not had many opportunities to show his ability at the Hanoi Police Club (CAHN), but in the coming time, his playing minutes will likely improve in the context of his senior Viet Anh being injured.

Dinh Bac and Van Khang are pillars of the U.23 Vietnam team and their home club.

PHOTO: DONG NGUYEN KHANG

In the midfield, the two midfielders Thai Son and Duc Phu are the pillars of Thanh Hoa Club, PVF-CAND with a starting rate of 100%. Van Truong, who has struggled to find a position in a team with fierce competition like Hanoi Club, is also playing more.

The most optimistic players are the players on the attack line. Van Khang started 100% of the time, scored 1 goal, 1 assist and is an indispensable piece in the attack line of Viettel The Cong Club. Thanh Nhan (PVF-CAND Club), Ngoc My, Van Thuan (Thanh Hoa Club), Le Viktor (Ha Tinh Club) also scored. Dinh Bac only had 1 assist for CAHN Club, but contributed a lot to the playing style, winning the full trust of Coach Alexandre Polking. This is shown by the fact that he started in 3 V-League matches, 2 Southeast Asian Cup C1 matches and 1 Asian Cup C2 match.

In the FIFA Days series next October, coach Kim Sang-sik is likely to call up a series of U.23 Vietnam players to the national team to prepare for the two matches against Nepal in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. Some new players who may be given a chance are Hieu Minh, Nhat Minh, Le Viktor...

U.23 VN CAN STILL BE RENEWED

While the U.23 Vietnam team's main players have maintained their form and regular playing rhythm, the reserve team is facing greater competitive pressure. Xuan Tien, the player who was eliminated by coach Kim Sang-sik before the 2025 Southeast Asian U.23 Championship, is gradually returning to play for The Cong Viettel Club. Under coach Velizar Popov, he quickly integrated with the new team, played more and had 1 assist.

Coach Le Huynh Duc is also helping coach Kim Sang-sik have more options. At the Ho Chi Minh City Police Club, two young midfielders are playing outstandingly: Duc Phu (born in 2003) and Quoc Cuong (2004). Duc Phu was once the top choice of U.23 Vietnam under coach Philippe Troussier, and has started all 5 matches in the V-League this season. He has abundant energy and plays well in the role of a shuttle midfielder. Meanwhile, Quoc Cuong brings softness and dexterity, demonstrating technical qualities similar to his cousin Cong Phuong. This midfielder has 1 goal and 1 assist after 5 matches as a starter. In addition, the Ho Chi Minh City Police Club also has new recruit Le Kha Duc (2007), who took the starting position from his senior Vo Huy Toan right after joining the team.

In addition, coach Kim Sang-sik can keep an eye on the group of overseas Vietnamese players. Tran Thanh Trung (Ninh Binh Club), Vadim Nguyen (Da Nang Club), Damian Thanh An (The Cong Viettel Club) are 3 prominent names, who are having a smooth integration process. And don't forget Bui Vi Hao, the most promising young striker of Vietnamese football, who is preparing to return. The striker of Becamex TP.HCM Club recovered quickly from injury and is expected to return to play in November. If everything goes well, he is completely capable of participating in the U.23 Vietnam team. Vi Hao is also favored by coach Kim Sang-sik, playing well in the journey to conquer the AFF Cup 2024 of the Vietnamese team.

With the stability of the pillars, the breakthrough of new factors and also the faces of overseas Vietnamese, U.23 Vietnam has a good human resource foundation. The quality between the pillars and the reserve group is not much different, helping coach Kim Sang-sik to rotate the squad, calculate diverse tactical options to create safety and breakthroughs for the U.23 Vietnam team. This is the important key for the U.23 Vietnam team to aim to conquer the SEA Games gold medal at the end of the year and further to the 2026 U.23 Asia finals.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/hlv-kim-sang-sik-co-the-yen-tam-ve-u23-viet-nam-185250925223600907.htm