Unexpected new elements of the Vietnamese team, Mr. Kim's risky move?

The upcoming rounds of the V-League are pivotal, affecting the list of Vietnam's national team, preparing for the 2027 Asian Cup qualifying matches taking place in October.

Center back Hieu Minh and goalkeeper Trung Kien are qualified to join the Vietnam national team.

Rounds 4, 5 and 6 of the 2025-2026 V-League will take place right before the Vietnam national team gathers to prepare for two matches against Nepal (October 9 and 14). Therefore, this is also the last chance for young players to show their talent in domestic tournaments, with the goal of being tested in the national team.

Center back Hieu Minh (4) could be a new option for coach Kim Sang-sik in the Vietnam national team.

Photo: Dong Nguyen Khang

It is likely that in the match against Nepal, coach Kim Sang-sik will test many new faces, preparing for the future of the national team. That is the reason why the young players are more determined to score points with the Korean coach.

Notable among these players is central defender Nguyen Hieu Minh (PVF-CAND Club). This player has just been given the captain's armband by coach Kim Sang-sik of the Vietnam U23 team in a number of matches in the 2026 AFC U23 Championship qualifiers. This means that Mr. Kim has placed more trust in Hieu Minh. Therefore, the possibility of Hieu Minh taking another step forward and wearing the national team jersey is very high.

Vietnam Team: Not hoping for a miracle at the Asian Cup but need to regain confidence

Goalkeeper Trung Kien is fit enough to wear the Vietnamese national team jersey and face Nepal.

Photo: Vuong Anh

In terms of expertise, Hieu Minh plays in a position that the Vietnamese team is in dire need of. We do not have many central defenders who are calm, have a good physique (1.84 m), and have good attacking ability (scored 2 goals at the U.23 Southeast Asian tournament in July) like Hieu Minh. Once coach Kim Sang-sik gives Hieu Minh a chance in the matches against Nepal this coming October, he will help this player accumulate more experience and courage, ready for the bigger stages of the Vietnamese team in 2026.

The second case belongs to goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien (HAGL). This goalkeeper has been called up to the Vietnam national team several times, but he has never played in an official international match. Against a weak opponent like Nepal, coach Kim Sang-sik does not necessarily have to use the best goalkeeper in Vietnamese football today, Nguyen Filip. Against a weaker opponent like Nepal, creating an opportunity for a younger goalkeeper with long-term value like goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien is a factor worth considering for coach Kim Sang-sik.

Quang Kiet and Tuan Tai hope to be given a chance

The same is true for left-back Phan Tuan Tai (The Cong Viettel). The Vietnamese team does not lack excellent full-backs, such as Nguyen Van Vi ( Nam Dinh ), Cao Pendant Quang Vinh (Hanoi Police Club). However, even then, coach Kim Sang-sik still needs more good personnel on this wing. Suppose Mr. Kim needs a full-back who can defend well, cross the ball well, to feel more secure in pushing Cao Pendant Quang Vinh or Nguyen Van Vi up high, close to the opponent's penalty area, Phan Tuan Tai can play the above role.

Will coach Kim Sang-sik give new players a chance?

Photo: Dong Nguyen Khang

The player currently playing for Viettel The Cong Club is no stranger to domestic fans, he once shone in the U.23 Vietnam team under coaches Park Hang-seo and Gong Oh-kyun, and was once a favorite student of coach Troussier. It's just that Tuan Tai's form declined right when coach Kim Sang-sik started leading the Vietnam team last year. Now that Tuan Tai has gradually regained his best form, coach Kim Sang-sik may have a different view of him, before giving him a chance in the national team.

The other player who could be playing for the Vietnamese national team in October is central defender Dinh Quang Kiet (HAGL). Unlike the seniors mentioned above, Quang Kiet's case is much more special. He will find it difficult to get a regular playing position if he plays for the national team, but coaches still need him at certain times, when they need someone to fight for the ball in the air both in defense and attack. Quang Kiet's height of 1.96 m is rare in Vietnamese football, so sometimes when they only need to focus on aerial combat, coaches will not ignore the height advantage of this 18-year-old player.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nhung-nhan-to-moi-bat-ngo-cua-doi-tuyen-viet-nam-nuoc-co-mao-hiem-cua-ong-kim-18525091813564422.htm