Vietnam U23 lays the foundation for the World Cup with a squad of 1.96m tall stars and a fresh wave of overseas Vietnamese talent.
Coach Kim Sang-sik has decided to rejuvenate the Vietnam U23 team with players taller than 1.90m, aiming for long-term goals at the 2028 Olympics and the dream of the World Cup.
Vietnamese football is at a historic crossroads as coach Kim Sang-sik and the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) have agreed on a bold roadmap for the 20th Asian Games. Instead of chasing immediate results, the coaching staff has decided to use a core group of U21 players to change the team's DNA starting from the youth level.
This is seen as a long-term strategic move to plan personnel for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic qualifiers and realize the World Cup dream. This model shares many similarities with the fundamental football development approach of Japan or South Korea, where they are willing to accept unfavorable results in the short term to hone the skills of "raw talents" like Van Binh, Cong Phuong, or Le Phat.
The giant vertical axis and the solution to the aerial ball problem.
The most groundbreaking highlight of this training camp lies in the team's superior physical attributes, a factor that has been a concern for Vietnamese football for many years. For the first time, the national team possesses a vertical axis with heights approaching European standards, breaking all previous norms regarding the physique of domestic players.
Coach Kim Sang-sik has at his disposal some true "towers" to thoroughly address the Achilles' heel in aerial duels:
- Central defender Quang Kiệt holds the record for the tallest player at 1.96m.
- Goalkeeper Trung Kien is 1.91m tall.
- Striker Lee Williams is 1.90m tall.
The presence of these players not only helps the defense better withstand set pieces but also transforms dead-ball situations into a deadly weapon, creating suffocating pressure on the opponent.
The strength of Vietnamese players living abroad.
A crucial piece in completing coach Kim Sang-sik's tactical picture is the contribution from Vietnamese-American players. Names like Lee Williams, Vadim Nguyen, and Khoa Ngo not only bring a strong physical foundation but also add a modern, scientific, and minimalist approach to the game.
Most notably, Lee Williams, a 19-year-old striker who rose through the ranks of English football, possesses a neat ball-handling style, strong physical presence, and the ability to utilize his long strides, making him the type of striker that Vietnamese football is desperately lacking. The rapid integration of this new blood alongside the young domestic stars promises to make the Vietnam U23 team an interesting dark horse at the 20th Asian Games.
The combination of youthful energy and practical experience gained from the 2026 U23 Asian Championship is gradually forming a resilient U23 Vietnam team. With a long-term vision and investment in physical fitness, Coach Kim Sang-sik's team is striving to create a sensation and bring new energy to Vietnamese fans.
