Injuries and an incomplete squad have disrupted Vietnam's preparations for the ASEAN Cup 2026, but they may also give head coach Kim Sang Sik an opportunity to build greater squad depth.
Vietnam head coach Kim Sang Sik has been forced to adapt after an injury-hit start to the national team's ASEAN Cup 2026 preparations, with several players still unavailable for training.
Nearly a week into the training camp, Vietnam have yet to assemble a full squad, preventing the coaching staff from implementing the training programme originally planned.
Although the Korean coach anticipated that injuries and absences could affect the early stages of the camp, the number of unavailable players has complicated preparations. Training sessions have had to be adjusted, while the time available to refine tactics and build team chemistry has been significantly reduced.
Vietnam's national team continue training with an incomplete squad as several players remain unavailable.
The situation is particularly challenging as Kim is also hoping to assess several newcomers before finalising his squad for the tournament.
Despite the disruption, the coaching staff have little choice but to remain patient while waiting for injured players to recover.
Among the biggest setbacks is the loss of Vietnamese-Australian midfielder Ngo Dang Khoa, who has been ruled out of the ASEAN Cup after failing to recover from injury in time for Vietnam's training camp in South Korea.
The CA TPHCM (HCM City Police FC) midfielder had played through pain during the closing stages of the 2025-26 season before medical examinations confirmed a Grade 2 meniscus tear.
Following consultations with the player and the medical team, Kim Sang Sik decided to release the young midfielder so he could continue rehabilitation with his club rather than risk aggravating the injury.
While Ngo Dang Khoa's absence may not significantly alter Vietnam's overall squad list, it represents the loss of a player the coaching staff had carefully considered in their long-term plans.
As Vietnam continue a gradual squad rejuvenation, every new face carries strategic importance. Trained in Australia, Ngo Dang Khoa has been viewed as a modern midfielder capable of covering large areas of the pitch and bringing fresh qualities to the national team.
Although he was not expected to be a regular starter at the ASEAN Cup, Kim Sang Sik reportedly rated the midfielder's pace, determination and performances during the 2025-26 season highly enough to consider using him in demanding matches.
His withdrawal forces the coach to postpone those plans, despite waiting nearly a week in the hope that the player would recover.
Head coach Kim Sang Sik is using the disrupted training camp to assess alternative options and build greater squad depth ahead of the ASEAN Cup.
Nevertheless, at a very young age, Ngo Dang Khoa's absence from this tournament is viewed only as a temporary setback.
If he fully recovers, the midfielder is expected to remain firmly in Kim Sang Sik's long-term plans as Vietnam continue building a younger squad capable of competing at a higher level in the years ahead.
At the same time, the current injury situation has created opportunities for other players to impress.
With several established names unavailable, Kim Sang Sik has gained additional time to observe, test and evaluate alternative options that might otherwise receive limited opportunities when the squad is at full strength.
The unexpected circumstances also allow the coaching staff to gain a clearer understanding of the overall quality and depth of the squad while identifying reliable backup options capable of stepping in when required.
The competition extends beyond individual places in the starting lineup. It also gives the coaching staff an opportunity to assess which players can provide tactical flexibility or make an impact when Vietnam face difficult situations during major tournaments.
Viewed from that perspective, Vietnam's incomplete squad has become more than just an obstacle.
It offers Kim Sang Sik a valuable opportunity to strengthen one of the key characteristics of successful national teams - squad depth that reduces reliance on individual players.
With several major competitions scheduled over the coming months, Vietnam will need multiple reliable options across the squad to cope with injuries and other unexpected challenges throughout a demanding international calendar.
Vietnamnet.vn
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