Following the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, Vietnam's national football team is expected to regroup from November 9 to 17 for two friendly matches against Taiwan (China) and Kyrgyzstan.

The training camp will give head coach Kim Sang Sik an opportunity to assess players' form, experiment with new options and fine-tune his squad and playing style ahead of the Asian Cup, which kicks off in early January 2027.

Kim will be without three naturalized players, Nguyen Xuan Son, Do Hoang Hen and Nguyen Tai Loc, during the upcoming camp because of injuries. Xuan Son and Hoang Hen could even miss the Asian Cup, with their recovery expected to take two to three months.

With several key players unavailable, the South Korean coach may turn to familiar faces who have previously represented Vietnam. He is also hoping that young players in the V-League will demonstrate their abilities in the coming weeks and make a strong case for national team selection.

During the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, Kim gave three newcomers opportunities to impress: Adou Minh, Ngo Dang Khoa and Williams Minh Hoang. Of the three, Dang Khoa will need to make considerable improvements if he hopes to retain his place in the national team.

In attack, Nguyen Tien Linh and Pham Tuan Hai could earn recalls as Kim faces a serious shortage of forwards.

Apart from the absence of naturalized players, the coach will also be unable to field Nguyen Dinh Bac in Vietnam's opening two group-stage matches at the 2027 Asian Cup because of an AFC suspension.

In midfield, Duc Chien and Doan Ngoc Tan are potential options to strengthen Vietnam's ability to compete for possession and win physical battles.

Both have previously played for the national team, with Ngoc Tan emerging as an important member of Kim's squad during the 2024 ASEAN Cup.

Among the younger prospects, Quang Vinh is a player worth considering.

The Song Lam Nghe An (SLNA) midfielder has impressed with his ability to challenge for possession and distribute the ball. He has also contributed to his club's excellent start to the V-League season, with two wins and a draw.

Another potential newcomer is Luong Chi Khai, also known as Kyle Colonna, a central defender for The Cong Viettel.

Standing approximately 1.88 meters tall, Chi Khai offers a physical advantage in aerial duels and defending high balls.

If he completes the necessary FIFA eligibility requirements in time, the defender could become another option for Kim's squad.

Meanwhile, several members of Vietnam's U23 team, including Khuat Van Khang, Nhat Minh, Thanh Nhan and Ngoc My, also feature in the coach's plans.

Beyond their youth and energy, these players are familiar with Kim's football philosophy and have accumulated valuable international experience.

Dai Nam