Vietnam team renews defense, waiting to test against Laos
Nguyen Thanh Chung returns to add options to the 3-center-back formation; Coach Kim Sang-sik considers changing the two flanks for the match against Laos when Bui Tien Dung is not yet fit.
Before the match against Laos, the focus of the Vietnamese team was not on the attack line that had spoken out against Nepal, but on the defensive structure. The return of Nguyen Thanh Chung opened up the option for the sweeper center-back position in the 3-center-back formation, while coach Kim Sang-sik considered adjusting the two wings to increase mobility and the ability to create breakthroughs.
The trio of central defenders and the role of Nguyen Thanh Chung
The two wins over Nepal in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers showed that Vietnam controlled the game well, but the defense has not been under much real-life pressure. From a professional perspective, this is the right time to fine-tune the three-man defense, both in terms of personnel and operating principles.
Nguyen Thanh Chung is considered the ideal piece for the role of sweeper: reading the situation, commanding the depth and especially the ability to fight in the air. When facing high balls and set pieces, a sweeper with good landing points and judgment helps the 3-center-back system minimize risks in the 5m50 area.
Bui Tien Dung's health risks
Bui Tien Dung had a back problem and missed many previous training sessions. The experience of the Viettel The Cong center-back is still important, but the continuous workload at the club forced the coaching staff to have a backup plan to control the risk of injury and maintain a stable intensity of play.
Do Duy Manh and the need for decisiveness in air combat
Do Duy Manh made a mistake in marking the goal against Nepal when he was indecisive in the high ball. That situation reiterated the key requirement for the three central defenders: proactively choose positions, communicate clearly in the penalty area and be decisive at the first point of contact. The renewal of the three central defenders is not only about substitutions, but also about strengthening the coordination principle.
Change of wind on two sides: the need for speed and mutation
On the right flank, Truong Tien Anh is currently the number one choice thanks to his physical strength and quality of crossing – he assisted Nguyen Tien Linh to open the score against Nepal. However, if he needs to increase the surprise in the transition phase, coach Kim Sang-sik can consider two offensive options:
- Huynh Cong Bao Toan: comes from a midfielder/striker background, brings speed and the ability to break deep into the defender's armpits.
- Nguyen Van Do: tried out as a full-back at the club, tends to finish when moving inside.
Both Bao Toan and Van Do have shown that they can provide a different attacking rhythm compared to Tien Anh, especially in 1v1 situations on the right flank.
Left wing: reasonable rotation
Left wing likely to continue rotating betweenCao Pendant Quang VinhandNguyen Van Videpending on the context of the match. When the team needs to increase the quality of crosses towards strikers in the penalty area,Tuan Taiis a suitable choice thanks to its stable crossing foot.
Match against Laos: opportunity to test defensive structure
Against Nepal, the one-sided game left the defense untested. Against Laos, it was a good time to test the coordination of the three central defenders with the two wings, the rhythm of covering when being counter-attacked and the organization of the set pieces. The personnel tests also helped to assess the adaptability of the new recruits in the outlined model.
Towards Asian Cup 2027: Competition creates a solid foundation
The key to any adjustment is positive competition. The return of Nguyen Thanh Chung creates healthy pressure for the remaining positions in the center of the defense. On the wings, rotating between different configurations gives the team more flexibility against diverse opponents.
Vietnam does not have major problems with their defensive personnel, but the “refreshment” at this time has strategic significance: raising the level of readiness before the long tournament, limiting the risk of injury and keeping the players in a competitive state. If the experiment against Laos gives positive results, the team will enter the journey towards the 2027 Asian Cup with a stable defensive foundation and many alternative options.