Coach Kim Sang-sik and the drastic personnel overhaul at the Vietnamese national team.
With the philosophy of "open doors for everyone," coach Kim Sang-sik is preparing to announce the June training camp roster, which includes Patrik Le Giang and many other promising players.
Coach Kim Sang-sik is preparing for a crucial training camp in June with the goal of completely overhauling the Vietnamese national team's squad. Since taking office, the South Korean strategist has consistently adhered to the philosophy of giving equal opportunities to all high-performing players in the V-League, regardless of their reputation or past influence.
The "open door" philosophy and a breath of fresh air from the V-League.
Coach Kim's decisive approach to personnel changes has created a healthy competitive atmosphere. The clearest example is the case of striker Nguyen Tran Viet Cuong. Having previously played in the shadow of his senior teammates at Becamex Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Cuong exploded onto the scene after being called up by Coach Kim Sang-sik and scored in the 3-1 victory against Malaysia.
The striker's remarkable progress led him to score three consecutive goals after returning to the club, bringing his total for the season to six. These precious moments with the national team are a powerful source of motivation, helping lesser-known young players break through and prove their worth.
The effectiveness of reserve players.
In fact, Viet Cuong wasn't the only "surprise" player given a chance by coach Kim Sang-sik. At the 2024 AFF Cup, the South Korean coach surprised everyone by starting goalkeeper Nguyen Dinh Trieu and placing his trust in Doan Ngoc Tan in midfield. Previously supporting players like Chau Ngoc Quang and Nguyen Hai Long suddenly became heroes in the Southeast Asian championship-winning campaign.
In the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, Coach Kim continued to experiment with a series of promising young players such as Pham Ly Duc, Nguyen Hieu Minh, Tran Trung Kien, and Pham Gia Hung. The continuous process of refining and testing new talents like Dinh Quang Kiet and Tran Hoang Phuc helps the team maintain its fighting spirit and diverse playing style.
Expected list of players called up in June.
In the upcoming training camp, the selection process is expected to be even more intense, with a preliminary list of around 29 to 32 players. One of the names receiving the most expectations is goalkeeper Patrik Le Giang of the Ho Chi Minh City Police Club. After three years of proving his class in the V-League, the removal of the nationality barrier opens up a great opportunity for him to contribute to the national team.
In defense, the return of veterans Doan Van Hau and Tran Dinh Trong after injury will bring valuable experience. At the same time, players in good form such as Nguyen Nhat Minh (Hai Phong) and Pham Minh Phuc and Le Van Do (Hanoi Police) promise to bring new energy to the team.
By closely monitoring players' performance in the V-League until the final rounds, coach Kim Sang-sik is building a highly versatile Vietnamese national team. This innovation not only helps identify optimal players but also creates momentum for the sustainable development of Vietnamese football.
