Coach Kim Sang-sik drops Tien Linh, removing the comfort zone in the Vietnamese national team.
The list of 23 players for FIFA Days in March marks the return of Van Hau and Dinh Trong, and a strong message from coach Kim Sang-sik by excluding striker Tien Linh.
Coach Kim Sang-sik has officially announced the 23-player squad for the Vietnamese national team's training camp in March, sending a strong message about ending the era of "automatic slots." This decision comes as the team prepares for two crucial matches against Bangladesh and Malaysia.
The return of the 'steel shields' and a breath of fresh air.
The most notable highlight of this training camp is the return of defenders Tran Dinh Trong and Doan Van Hau. After a long period struggling with injuries, their consistent performance for Hanoi Police FC has helped them regain the coaching staff's trust. In particular, Van Hau has had an impressive performance with one goal and one assist in just four matches since his return to the domestic league.
Alongside veterans, the South Korean strategist continues his plan to rejuvenate the squad by giving opportunities to outstanding players from the 2026 U23 Asian Championship, such as goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien, defender Nguyen Nhat Minh, and midfielder Khuat Van Khang. Notably, the arrival of naturalized newcomer Do Hoang Hen (born in 1994) is expected to bring a fresh tactical perspective to the team's midfield.
A strong message from removing the pillar.
In contrast to the joy of the returning players, the absence of striker Nguyen Tien Linh came as a major shock to football experts. The former star striker of the national team was dropped after a poor run of form, failing to score in 11 consecutive domestic league matches. This is seen as a wake-up call for all players regarding coach Kim Sang-sik's philosophy of selecting players based solely on actual performance.
The decision to drop a seasoned star like Tien Linh proves that past reputation is no longer a "get out of jail free card." Under Kim, the Vietnamese national team is entering an era of fierce competition, where fairness and efficiency are paramount. The upcoming two matches against Bangladesh and Malaysia will be a real test of the value of these pivotal changes.
