Coach Kim Sang Sik only selected Viktor Lê for the Vietnam U22 team.

Only one overseas Vietnamese player, Viktor Lê, was retained by coach Kim Sang Sik for the Vietnam U22 team heading into the SEA Games 33. The decision didn't surprise experts, but it clearly signals the selection criteria: integration, physical fitness to handle high intensity, and discipline within the pressing system.

Decisions and messages from the coaching bench

This isn't the first time the South Korean coach has opted for a cautious approach with the group of overseas Vietnamese. Previously, he dropped Bui Alex despite high expectations. This time, only Viktor Le remains, while other notable names like Tran Thanh Trung and Vadim Nguyen have yet to convince the coaching staff at the U22 level.

The key aspect of coach Kim Sang Sik's approach is that he doesn't prioritize fame or background. The criteria he prioritizes are tactical adaptability, stamina, team cohesion, and effectiveness in real-world situations within the domestic football environment.

The philosophy of pressing and demanding physical fitness.

Under coach Kim Sang Sik, the Vietnam U22 team pursued a pressing style of play, characterized by constant movement and high-intensity coordination. With such a system, a single weak link failing to maintain the tempo could affect the entire team. According to assessments, most of the overseas Vietnamese players could only maintain high intensity for about two-thirds of the match – the remaining gap posed a risk to a system that prioritizes stamina and tackling.

In a highly organized system, each position must be able to both "read" the pressing trigger and have the stamina to repeat the pressing sequence multiple times. This demands not only individual skill but also physical fitness to repeat the tactical action throughout the match.

Barriers to integration: language, culture, and tactical roles.

The problem isn't just about technical skills. Cultural differences, language barriers, and lifestyles make it difficult for many Vietnamese players living abroad to integrate into a team. Even with a technical foundation from a modern environment, quickly understanding the coaching language, "catching the signal," and adapting to the roles and rhythm of the youth team is a challenging test.

These obstacles explain why, upon returning home, players who had previously made a name for themselves in Europe haven't made a strong enough difference to secure a place in the team. At the U22 level, effectiveness within the system — not just individual skill — is the crucial measure.

Viktor Lê: A reasonable exception in the current period.

Viktor Lê is a rare case of a player already accustomed to playing conditions in Vietnam. His adaptation to the climate, training pace, and team structure has helped him avoid being overwhelmed by the demands of physical fitness and tactical discipline. In the context of the U22 Vietnam team's high-intensity pressing tactics, this level of readiness allows him to integrate more smoothly into the team's formation.

The door is open, but the criteria are clear.

The decision to retain only Viktor Lê does not mean the door is closed for Vietnamese-American players. However, to be selected, they need to meet specific criteria prioritized by coach Kim Sang Sik.

• Quick integration: understanding the guiding language, grasping one's role within the structure.
• Endurance: maintaining the intensity of pressing and tackling throughout the match.
• Tactical discipline: the right position, at the right time, with seamless coordination.
• Team spirit: prioritizing the system over individual initiative.

With the 33rd SEA Games fast approaching, the Vietnam U22 team needs stability rather than risky experiments. Therefore, the path to the national team for overseas Vietnamese players is not closed, but only open to those who can prove they are ready to fully meet the demands for integration, fitness, and discipline that coach Kim Sang Sik pursues.