Vietnam national football team goes to Laos: 3 points target, play convincingly

At 9:35 a.m. on November 15, the Vietnam team left Noi Bai for Vientiane with 23 players, setting a clear goal: to win 3 points and perform convincingly in the match against Laos at 7:00 p.m. on November 19. Vietnam is currently in second place with 9 points, while Laos has 3 points; in the first leg in Binh Duong, the Vietnam team won 5-0. The context creates an advantage, but the requirement of discipline and concentration is still emphasized throughout the team.

Xuan Son returns, adding more options for the attack

The highlight of coach Kim Sang Sik’s unchanged roster is the return of striker Nguyen Xuan Son. Nearly a year ago, he went to Laos with the team but was unable to play due to paperwork issues related to FIFA. After 11 months of treatment and recovery, Xuan Son has reached the physical and mental condition to compete for a place on the field.

During the four training sessions in Phu Tho, Xuan Son showed high energy, was not afraid of collisions and made rapid progress. With the criteria of emphasizing flexibility and strong competitive spirit, coach Kim Sang Sik has an additional attack plan at the right time when the team needs a boost in the front line. The possibility of this striker being given a chance is very high.

Preparation in Phu Tho and four days of completion in Vientiane

The training session on the afternoon of November 14th was considered the key point in the preparation phase. The fresh, focused and united atmosphere was what captain Do Duy Manh emphasized when sharing with the media. The whole team entered the journey with the mindset of wanting to play a complete match against Laos, inheriting the positive rhythm created in Phu Tho.

Upon arriving in Vientiane, coach Kim Sang Sik and his team had four days to familiarize themselves with the pitch and fine-tune their tactics for the match on November 19. The goal was not just to win, but to win convincingly – a message that reflected the need for discipline and consistency in operations.

Team cohesion, prioritizing flexibility

The list of 23 players remains the same as at the beginning of the training session, reflecting confidence in the current personnel structure. Besides the pillars, new recruits such as Khong Minh Gia Bao or Nguyen Tran Viet Cuong bring new features, creating positive competition for positions. The remaining problem for the coaching staff is to maintain a stable playing rhythm through each period of the match.

Group stage context: advantages come with caveats

Vietnam is rated much higher than Laos. However, long-term experience shows that there is no room for complacency in football. The 5-0 score in the first leg is a reference point, not a guarantee. Careful preparation for match situations, controlling the rhythm and handling important moments well will determine the ability to turn advantages into results.

Captain Do Duy Manh's speech

Sharing about the goal, captain Do Duy Manh said: “The team represents Vietnam so each player clearly understands their responsibilities. We will give our best, follow the coaching staff’s requirements and aim for victory.” That spirit, combined with the positive atmosphere in the team, is the foundation for achieving a performance that meets expectations.

Notable milestones

• Travel time: departing Noi Bai at 9:35 am on November 15.
• Preparation: 4 practice sessions in Phu Tho, the session on November 14 is the final one before departure.
• Match time: 19:00 on November 19 in Vientiane.
• First leg result: Vietnam beat Laos 5-0 in Binh Duong.
• Group position: Vietnam 9 points (second), Laos 3 points (third).

This trip is therefore a test of the mettle and discipline of the Vietnam team. If they can maintain their focus and cohesion, coach Kim Sang Sik’s team will have the foundation to achieve the goal of 3 points, while also sending a message about the stable trajectory that the whole team is pursuing.