Coach Kim Sang-sik and the transfer problem before the match against Laos
The pressure of a big win against Laos forced coach Kim Sang-sik to balance the results and innovate the playing style; the statistics of 31 goals in 8 matches are the basis for experimentation and exploitation of raw materials.
Facing Laos in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, coach Kim Sang-sik has to solve a two-pronged problem: win big to reassure expectations, and breathe new life into the Vietnamese team in the transition period. The window for experimentation is open, but time and score pressure mean every decision must be precise.
Vietnam vs Laos: pressure to win big and opportunity to experiment
The statistics of 31 goals scored against Laos in the last 8 matches predict a favorable scenario for Vietnam. In the context of the Malaysian Football Federation's failed appeal, creating opportunities for Vietnam and Nepal in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, the November match becomes a reasonable springboard for Coach Kim to balance between results and innovation.
Current bottleneck: goal output dependence
Two underperforming matches against Nepal were a wake-up call: a 3-1 win thanks to an opponent's mistake in the first leg and a 1-0 win thanks to an own goal in the second leg. When Xuan Son was absent due to injury, the dependence was obvious: he scored 7 goals, accounting for 33% of the team's total despite only playing 5 matches at the AFF Cup 2024. Coach Kim's problem is not only finding someone to replace those goals, but also how to restructure the attacking behavior so that it is not confined to one individual.
Transfer of forces: open to new recruits, but limited time
Coach Kim has maintained a ratio of 15-20% new faces in each training session. Not everyone can break out immediately like Dinh Trieu or Ngoc Tan; most need time to integrate while the pressure to win big against Laos requires the testing process to be streamlined and targeted.
- Potential factors that can be trusted: Viet Cuong, Gia Bao, Gia Hung, Van Viet.
- Xuan Son's return in minutes (if in time) is expected to "recharge" the attacking energy.
Tactical analysis: control, break down low blocks, limit soulless crosses
Against an opponent who is likely to sit deep, Vietnam needs a more structured ball control structure instead of repeating lifeless crosses. The creative axis in the middle of the field with Hoang Duc and Thanh Long must be mobile, changing the tempo and direction of deployment to unlock the half spaces.
Up front, Tien Linh and Hai Long need more ideas to coordinate instead of waiting for high balls. Down back, Van Viet can be given the opportunity to start, while Gia Bao is an option to join the 3-man defense to create competition and increase the quality of ball development from the first line.
Lessons from the old cycle, orientation for the new cycle
The 2018-2022 period under coach Park Hang-seo marked the peak with the 2018 AFF Cup, the 2019 Asian Cup quarter-finals and the third qualifying round of the 2022 World Cup. But by the end of his tenure, the attack was out of ideas, the ability to control and impose itself against opponents of equal level was eroded. It is a reminder that the cycle of success is only sustainable when accompanied by timely tactical and personnel renewal.
Coach Kim is facing a similar scenario with a group of key players such as Duy Manh, Xuan Manh, Tien Dung, Hoang Duc, Tien Linh, Quang Hai... Some have shown signs of decline, while the U.23 and rookie teams are just taking their first steps. Therefore, the match against Laos is a measure for the team to improve their playing style: control firmly, increase the quality of coordination in the middle, and redistribute goal output.
Long-term impacts
The door to testing has opened, the rest depends on the performance on the field of the new elements if they want to participate in major tournaments in the next 2 years such as AFF Cup 2026, Asian Cup 2027 and World Cup 2030 qualifiers. A big win may be required, but the real value is the new operating platform for Vietnam to escape the rut.
The outstanding numbers
- Vietnam scored 31 goals against Laos in the last 8 matches.
- Xuan Son: 7 goals, accounting for 33% of the team's total goals at AFF Cup 2024, after only 5 matches.
- Two recent matches against Nepal: won 3-1 thanks to opponent's mistake and 1-0 from own goal.
