One of the biggest positives from the match was the performance of naturalized striker Olaha Manh Duc.

Making his international debut, Olaha opened the scoring after combining with Hong Phuc, demonstrating his ability to find space and capitalize on opportunities inside the penalty area.

The goal not only relieved the pressure on the newcomer but also suggested that he could provide Vietnam with another attacking option.

Dinh Bac also underlined his value with an impressive individual effort, beating defenders before producing a fine finish to double Vietnam's advantage.

In a match where the team's attacking combinations were not always fluid, the young forward's ability to create something on his own was particularly encouraging.

For an international friendly, securing a victory while giving new players valuable minutes represents a positive outcome.

More importantly, the match provided Kim with first-hand evidence of his players' capabilities, allowing him to make better-informed decisions about future selections.

The South Korean coach now has a clearer picture of how several newcomers perform under match conditions rather than relying solely on their displays in training.

Tactical weaknesses remain despite comfortable victory

Despite the positive result, Vietnam's performance against Chinese Taipei revealed shortcomings in the team's overall organization, particularly during the opening 45 minutes.

Although the hosts controlled much of the match, their attacking buildup was occasionally slow, with limited coordination between different areas of the pitch.

Several mistakes in possession inside Vietnam's own half also presented Chinese Taipei with scoring opportunities, forcing goalkeeper Patrik Le Giang to make important saves.

Nevertheless, it would be premature to interpret these errors as serious warning signs.

Kim fielded a lineup featuring several players who had little experience playing together, while the squad had only a limited period to prepare.

A lack of understanding and cohesion was therefore hardly unexpected.

The more important issue is how quickly the players can adapt.

Some newcomers displayed confidence and promising individual qualities, but they still need to improve their decision-making, positioning and coordination with teammates.

These are aspects of team development that cannot be perfected in a single match.

For Kim, the victory does not necessarily prove that all his tactical experiments have worked as intended.

It does, however, provide a foundation for further evaluation and gives him reason to continue exploring alternatives rather than relying exclusively on established players.

The upcoming match against Kyrgyzstan will offer a clearer indication of Vietnam's progress, particularly as the players will have had more time to train and develop an understanding of one another.

Olaha and three teammates released for ASEAN club competition

Vietnam's preparations for their final Casper Cup fixture will now involve further changes following the departure of four players.

Goalkeeper Patrik Le Giang, midfielder Nguyen Thai Quoc Cuong, defender Nguyen Nhat Minh and striker Olaha Manh Duc have all been released from the national team to return to Ho Chi Minh City Police FC.

The club is preparing for its upcoming fixture in the 2026/27 ASEAN Club Championship.

All four players started Vietnam's opening match against Chinese Taipei, with Olaha making an immediate impact by scoring the opening goal on his international debut.

Their departure means Kim will have to make significant changes to his starting lineup for the match against Kyrgyzstan on November 17.

Meanwhile, Ho Chi Minh City Police FC are scheduled to host Thailand's Buriram United at 7:30 p.m. on November 18 at Go Dau Stadium in Binh Duong in a Group A fixture of the ASEAN Club Championship.

The decision to release the four players was part of an arrangement agreed upon before the national team's training camp.

It was coordinated between Vietnam's coaching staff and the club to accommodate the competitive schedules of both sides.

The approach also reflects a broader effort to manage player workloads across Vietnamese football.

Several other V-League clubs have been allowed to retain key players to provide adequate rest and reduce the risk of fatigue and injuries.

Kyrgyzstan clash offers another opportunity to assess squad depth

With four starters unavailable, Kim will have another opportunity to assess players who received limited playing time or did not feature against Chinese Taipei.

The changes are expected to produce a substantially different starting lineup in Vietnam's final match of the tournament.

Rather than focusing solely on results, the coaching staff are using the Casper Cup to review the available squad, assess individual form and evaluate how effectively newcomers can adapt to the national team's tactical requirements.

The ultimate objective is to develop a deeper and more competitive squad capable of meeting Vietnam's longer-term ambitions.

The departure of Olaha and his three teammates may disrupt some of the combinations established in the opening match, but it also creates opportunities for others to demonstrate their abilities.

Against Kyrgyzstan, Kim will be able to assess not only individual performances but also the team's capacity to maintain its structure and attacking effectiveness with different personnel.

The victory over Chinese Taipei was an encouraging beginning, but the greater value of the tournament lies in what Vietnam can learn from its experiments.

For a national team seeking fresh talent and greater squad depth, occasional mistakes are an acceptable part of the process, provided they lead to improvements.

The next challenge is turning those lessons into a more cohesive performance while continuing to expand the pool of players capable of competing at international level.

Duy Nguyen - Dai Nam