Vietnam national football team is depleted before the match against Laos.
Vietnam national team against Laos in the final qualifying round of Asian Cup 2027: lost Nguyen Van Toan, Chau Ngoc Quang, Vo Hoang Minh Khoa due to injury; Nguyen Filip was not called up; Xuan Son and Dinh Trieu returned.
Ahead of the match against Laos in the final qualifying round of the 2027 Asian Cup, the Vietnam national team faces a complicated personnel problem: Nguyen Van Toan, Chau Ngoc Quang and Vo Hoang Minh Khoa are absent due to injury, while goalkeeper Nguyen Filip was not called up because coach Kim Sang Sik did not want to take risks. On the other hand, the team welcomed Nguyen Xuan Son back after 10 months and recalled Nguyen Dinh Trieu, while giving opportunities to Khong Minh Gia Bao and Nguyen Tran Viet Cuong.
Losses in attack and midfield
The three injury absences all hit key positions. The loss of striker Nguyen Van Toan narrows Vietnam’s attacking options, while the absence of midfielders Chau Ngoc Quang and Vo Hoang Minh Khoa reduces the ability to control and connect the midfield. This is a double loss: it directly affects the team’s attacking power and how it manages the tempo of the match.
Tactically, coach Kim Sang Sik faces the need to redistribute attacking and defensive duties from midfield to the front line. Without familiar options, the team may have to prioritize compact combinations, carefully calculate the timing of applying pressure and optimize set pieces to compensate for personnel shortages.
Wooden frame: cautious decision with Nguyen Filip
Despite having just recovered, Nguyen Filip was not called up this time. The decision shows the coaching staff's caution before the official match, minimizing the risk of injury recurrence in a specific position. On the other hand, goalkeeper Nguyen Dinh Trieu was called back after an impressive performance in the V-League, opening up a new personnel plan in goal.
Competition conditions and youth force
A name expected is the newly naturalized midfielder Do Hoang Hen, who cannot participate because he has not met the 5-year living condition in Vietnam. In addition, a group of outstanding young players from the U23 generation such as Dinh Bac, Thanh Nhan, Trung Kien are absent to concentrate with the U23 Vietnam to participate in the Panda Cup friendly tournament in China. This division helps the U23 team have a good force for the international tournament, but at the same time narrows the selection fund of the national team in the short term.
Opportunities for returnees and newcomers
Despite the difficulties, the Vietnam national team still has bright spots. Nguyen Xuan Son returned after 10 months of injury treatment, adding more solutions to the attack. The presence of Nguyen Dinh Trieu creates competition in the goalkeeper position. Along with that, coach Kim Sang Sik gave opportunities to new faces such as Khong Minh Gia Bao and Nguyen Tran Viet Cuong, hoping to bring new energy and motivation to compete for a starting position.
At a tactical level, integrating returning players and new recruits requires a balance: maintaining a stable framework but being flexible enough to exploit individual strengths. That could be key to keeping the team in rhythm, especially when the midfield lacks familiar personnel.
Summary of personnel changes
| Group | Player | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Absence (injury) | Nguyen Van Toan; Chau Ngoc Quang; Vo Hoang Minh Khoa | Not present this time |
| Absent (professional decision) | Nguyen Filip | Just recovered, not summoned |
| Not eligible | Do Hoang Hen | Less than 5 years living in Vietnam |
| Serving U23 | Dinh Bac; Thanh Nhan; Trung Kien | Attend Panda Cup in China |
| Return | Nguyen Xuan Son; Nguyen Dinh Trieu | Xuan Son returns after 10 months; Dinh Trieu is called back |
| New factor | Khong Minh Gia Bao; Nguyen Tran Viet Cuong | Give a chance in this training session |
Impact before the match against Laos
The match against Laos in the final round of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers will be a test of coach Kim Sang Sik's squad depth and rotation ability. Making up for missing pieces and optimizing the contributions of returning players and new players will shape how the Vietnamese team distributes energy, manages the tempo and handles key moments of the match.
