Head coach Kim Sang Sik may not have the strongest possible lineup when Vietnam face Malaysia in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers at the end of March, as the V-League has yet to “hit full throttle.”

V-League not in full swing

After more than 80 days of hiatus to give way for the U23 team’s regional and continental campaigns, the LPBank V-League 2025/26 returned with rounds 12 and 13 amid high anticipation from fans. Yet, just as football fever reignited, the country’s top-tier league abruptly paused again.

According to the schedule, after these two rounds, the league will take another three-week break before rounds 14 and 15 kick off at the end of February. Even before finding its rhythm, the V-League will be interrupted again by FIFA Days, allowing time for the national team’s training camp-another two-week pause.

Overall, this season has followed an erratic pattern: a few rounds of play, then a break. For clubs, especially those with thin squads, keeping a steady competitive rhythm is nearly impossible. For players, the fragmented schedule disrupts their match fitness and hinders them from reaching peak form.

Of course, the organizers can hardly be blamed, as these interruptions come from necessary compromises to serve Vietnam’s broader football goals. Yet, from a professional standpoint, the constant stop-and-start cycle undoubtedly impacts teams and players who rely on consistency to sustain performance and manage finances effectively.

A concern for Kim Sang Sik

Extended breaks are always double-edged. For struggling teams, they offer a chance to reset tactics or reshuffle personnel. But for in-form sides, such pauses can be disastrous.

Ninh Binh is a prime example. The club topped the standings for much of the first phase, only to lose its momentum and drop points in two consecutive defeats right after the league resumed.

For coach Kim Sang Sik, the stakes are even higher. The upcoming match against Malaysia carries critical importance, and he needs his players to be in their sharpest and most stable condition. Yet, with the V-League repeatedly disrupted, sustaining high-level match fitness becomes an uphill battle, let alone achieving the ideal performance peak.

Moreover, the inconsistent playing rhythm increases fatigue and injury risks, while tactical cohesion becomes harder to maintain. This is especially worrying for key players who shoulder responsibilities for both their clubs and the national team.

As players’ form fluctuates under these circumstances, the pressure on Kim Sang Sik will only intensify ahead of the Malaysia encounter, even with the recent addition of newly naturalized players offering fresh options to the squad.

Duy Nguyen