The national team’s challenges go beyond injuries. Some core players appear content with past achievements, while the overall playing style lacks creativity and effectiveness across all lines. The defense still suffers from unsafe decisions, the midfield lacks cohesion, and the attack consistently squanders scoring opportunities.

Although the team has maintained decent results, those victories have not been enough to satisfy the public. Both experts and fans are hoping Coach Kim will deliver a “new version” of Vietnam - one that is stronger, more unified, and more convincing.

The upcoming training camp ahead of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifier against Laos is seen as an opportunity for Coach Kim to experiment with a revised core lineup. The return of Xuan Son, along with the inclusion of Do Hoang Hen (Hendrio) - his well-known midfield partner - may breathe new life into the team’s creative play. This duo is expected to revitalize Vietnam’s attacking line, which has lacked imagination for some time.

However, for Vietnam to reach its full potential, fans may have to wait longer - until players like Gustavo, Janclesio, Geovane, Patrick Le Giang, and other overseas Vietnamese complete their naturalization procedures.

By the March 2026 rematch against Malaysia, these players may be eligible to represent Vietnam, aligning with Coach Kim’s vision.

At that point, the squad could be comprehensively strengthened across all three lines. Beyond their technical abilities, the arrival of new faces could also reignite motivation and competition among the existing players, who have long held guaranteed spots in the starting lineup.

Duy Nguyen