Vietnam 2-0 Laos: Coach Kim Sang-sik says it hasn't met expectations yet.
The Vietnamese national team beat Laos 2-0 away in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, but coach Kim Sang-sik said the team was not yet up to par: the first half was goalless, Xuan Son opened the scoring from a penalty, and Tuan Hai sealed the victory at the end of the match.
The 2-0 victory against Laos secured three points for the Vietnamese national team in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, but coach Kim Sang-sik did not hide his dissatisfaction. He admitted that the match was more difficult than expected and the current performance did not meet the set requirements.
The crucial moment: the penalty kick broke the deadlock.
In a prolonged stalemate, the turning point came in the second half when Nguyen Xuan Son scored the opening goal from a penalty. From then on, Vietnam's attacking tempo increased, and towards the end of the match, Tuan Hai sealed the 2-0 victory. This scenario accurately reflected the coaching staff's assessment: to beat Laos, Vietnam needed to find a moment to break through the opponent's dense defensive structure.
Match summary: first half deadlock, opportunities missed.
Vietnam started proactively, but the first half saw a lack of fluidity in the final touches. Many missed opportunities meant their attacking play didn't build enough pressure. Laos maintained a low defensive line, prioritizing covering their central axis and aggressively contesting the ball right in front of the penalty area, forcing Vietnam to patiently maneuver the ball to find gaps.
Kim Sang-sik's intention: two left-footed players to increase rotation speed.
A notable highlight was the simultaneous appearance of Quang Hai and Hoang Duc, two left-footed players with excellent technique and vision. Coach Kim Sang-sik explained: "I wanted to try a new formation to enhance attacking capabilities and faster ball circulation, so I used Quang Hai and Hoang Duc at the same time. But the performance wasn't as good as expected; everything needs time to improve." In reality, the idea of controlling, coordinating, and penetrating through triangular passing combinations in the midfield requires a more stable rhythm to create smooth ball progression.
A blunt message from the coaching bench.
After the match, the 48-year-old coach emphasized the gap between plan and execution: "We analyzed the Laotian team very carefully, but there was a clear difference between training and actual matches. The Vietnamese team will have to improve their performance in the future." He also praised the fighting spirit of Laos – a factor that forced Vietnam to patiently wait for their opportunity.
Tempo, structure, and efficiency problems
The test against Laos showed that Vietnam is in the process of refining its attacking structure: ball control, quick turnover, but with sharpness in the final decision. The deadlock in the first 45 minutes was a reminder of the importance of ball speed, positioning between lines, and the ability to stretch the opponent's defense. When the goal came from the penalty spot, it was a reward for the constant pressure, but also a signal for the team to continue increasing creativity in an open game.
Impact and subsequent requirements
Three points away from home provide a positive foundation for the qualifying campaign, but coach Kim Sang-sik himself affirmed that the team still has much work to do to meet the set standards. From experimenting with new formations to integrating two left-footed players into the same structure, Vietnam needs more time and repetition in training to turn ideas into reality.
Key facts
- Score: Laos 0-2 Vietnam
- Tournament: 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers
- Goals: Nguyen Xuan Son (penalty, second half), Tuan Hai (late match)
- Tactical intention: To use Quang Hai and Hoang Duc simultaneously to increase the speed of ball circulation.
Winning is essential, but the message is even more important: the standard of play must be higher than the score. For Vietnam, the path forward is measured by their ability to convert possession into clear scoring opportunities – and to turn tactical ideas into consistent, well-executed practices.