Vietnam team with 3-4-3: stable wings, thin depth
Coach Kim Sang-sik has shaped the two wings with Cao Pendant Quang Vinh and Truong Tien Anh in a 3-4-3 formation, but coordination and depth – especially on the right wing – are still problems that need to be solved.
In the 3-4-3 structure built by coach Kim Sang-sik, the Vietnamese team has two "running machines" for the wings: Cao Pendant Quang Vinh on the left and Truong Tien Anh on the right. This is the foundation for the system of three central defenders to maintain width and rhythm of transition. However, the coordination in coordination and personnel depth for the two wings are still gaps that have not been filled.
Wings Quang Vinh - Tien Anh in 3-4-3
In principle, this duo brings balance. Cao Pendant Quang Vinh has a flexible physique, a European style of play with the ability to stick and compete strongly - helping to strengthen the defense from a distance on the left wing. When the team has the ball, he actively pushes up, coordinates passes and crosses, creating more depth of attack on the wing.
On the opposite side, Truong Tien Anh stands out for his movement intensity, attacking and defending regularly. He possesses accurate crosses and passes. The endurance and speed of both are necessary conditions for 3-4-3 to operate according to coach Kim Sang-sik's philosophy of emphasizing initiative.
Coordination and passing options bottlenecks on the flanks
The left wing still needs more time to “fit in”. In the matches against Nepal, although he was allowed to advance, Quang Vinh sometimes missed the rhythm in the final phase – a sign that the coordination with the striker and wing is not really smooth. This has a basis: he has only been through 3 training sessions and 5 matches with the Vietnam team, so he is still in the integration phase in both culture and playing style.
On the right wing, the problem is not physical strength but diversity. Tien Anh is a quality “crosser” for his club, but when the Vietnam team does not have a tall striker to exploit the high balls, the balls into the wing need to be more creative. When the opponent covers the wing, relying only on pure crosses is easy to predict.
Depth of the two wing squad: a worrying gap
If the vertical axis requires stability, the two wings need the quantity and quality of rotation options. On the left, Khuat Van Khang is currently the backup option, but he is focusing on the U23 team and needs more time to narrow the gap in skill level. Nguyen Van Vi is "planned" to play as an attacking midfielder, so the possibility of taking over the left wing is left open.
The right wing is even thinner. Coach Kim Sang-sik admitted that there is no satisfactory backup plan for Truong Tien Anh. Van Thanh is injured, Xuan Manh is arranged to play as a central defender, leaving Tien Anh as almost the only option. Le Van Do was called up for a "trial" as a solution, but his ability to create breakthroughs at the national team level is still a question mark.
Impact on the 3-4-3 system
In 3-4-3, the two wings are the “hinges” for both attack and defense. When the wings are strong enough, the formation maintains attacking width, establishes a triangle of coordination along the flanks and supports the pressing immediately when the ball is lost. Conversely, if one wing is understaffed or inflexible, the whole structure is prone to breaking down in transition: the wide center-back must be more exposed, and the central midfielder is stretched to cover.
Therefore, optimizing the two wings not only helps increase the chance of creating opportunities from crosses, but also improves the stability of the “rest defense” – the remaining defensive block when the team pushes up. That is the foundation for the Vietnamese team to maintain initiative against opponents who know how to suffocate the wings.
Short-term priorities
- Increase coordination on the left wing: improve coordination for Cao Pendant Quang Vinh after 3 training sessions and 5 matches, especially in the final handling phase.
- Diversify your options on the right wing: reduce reliance on high crosses when the opponent covers the flank, prioritize more creative passes.
- Adding depth: quickly finalize backup options for both wings; on the right, find a solution when Van Thanh is injured and Xuan Manh plays center back; realistically assess Le Van Do's adaptability at the national team level.
The big picture
Coach Kim Sang-sik has found a promising wing framework for 3-4-3 with Quang Vinh and Tien Anh. The next mandatory step is to improve the coordination in the final rhythm and thicken the rotation scheme. When the two wings are properly reinforced, the system of three central defenders will be fully developed: proactive, balanced and more sustainable in the face of the next challenges.
