kim sang sik.JPG
Vietnam coach Kim Sang Sik has returned to work and is expected to announce his FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 squad in the coming days. Photo: S.N

Kim returned to Vietnam on September 17 after traveling to South Korea following the death of his father and has resumed preparations for the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026.

The 50-year-old coach is expected to announce his squad in the coming days, with Vietnam scheduled to regroup on September 21 at the start of the FIFA international window.

The squad is unlikely to change dramatically from the one used at the ASEAN Cup 2026. With only two rounds of the new V-League season played over the past month, Kim and his coaching staff have had limited opportunities to identify new candidates.

Injuries, however, could force changes.

Duy Manh recently underwent surgery and is expected to be sidelined for six to nine months, while midfielder Doan Ngoc Tan is also unavailable after being injured during The Cong Viettel’s match against Cong An Ha Noi in the second round of the 2026/27 V-League season.

Wing-back Van Vi will miss the FIFA ASEAN Cup after suffering a calf tear, while the availability of midfielder Hoang Duc remains uncertain because of a groin muscle injury.

With Thailand expected to bring a strong squad to the tournament, Kim may have to explore several alternatives, potentially including recently naturalized players.

Among the candidates is The Cong Viettel center-back Luong Chi Khai, also known as Kyle Colonna.

Born on August 2, 1999, in Danville, California, to an American father and a Vietnamese-Chinese mother, the 1.88-meter defender is right-footed and primarily plays at center-back.

Before moving to Vietnam to join Hanoi FC in August 2024, Chi Khai played for San Francisco Glens and New Mexico United. He joined The Cong Viettel in July 2025.

Transfermarkt values the 27-year-old at €250,000. He has started both of The Cong Viettel’s opening two V-League matches this season and scored once.

thai lan 6.JPG
Vietnam and Thailand will meet again at the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 following their clash in the ASEAN Cup final. Photo: S.N

Another potential option is Nguyen Adou Legley Minh, who has a French father and Vietnamese mother and currently plays for Cong An Ha Noi. He could also earn a call-up if he impresses Kim and his coaching staff.

Vietnam are scheduled to leave for Indonesia on September 23, giving the team two official training sessions before their opening match.

Kim’s side begin their FIFA ASEAN Cup campaign against the Philippines at 7:30 p.m. on September 26 at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung.

Three days later comes one of the tournament’s most anticipated fixtures: another meeting between Vietnam and Thailand.

The Southeast Asian rivals last met in the ASEAN Cup 2026 final, when Vietnam prevailed after winning 2-0 at Rajamangala Stadium and drawing 2-2 at My Dinh Stadium.

This time, the match will also come against an intriguing backdrop surrounding Thailand coach Anthony Hudson.

Thai media have reported that the Football Association of Thailand, or FAT, has reached an agreement to extend the English coach’s contract until 2029.

Hudson’s current deal runs through the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia. If the reported extension is confirmed, FAT will have committed to keeping the 45-year-old for another two years without waiting to assess Thailand’s performance at the continent’s premier national-team tournament.

The development is notable given Thailand’s recent ASEAN Cup final defeat to Vietnam.

However, FAT appears to be taking a longer-term view of Hudson’s work rather than judging him on the outcome of a single competition.

Hudson helped Thailand qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup and has been involved in longer-term development planning since joining FAT as technical director in June 2025. He was appointed head coach of the national team in October that year.

His previous role in shaping the federation’s strategy has given him familiarity with Thailand’s broader football structure, spanning the senior national team, youth sides, Thai League and player development system.

FAT is reportedly seeking greater continuity rather than returning to a cycle of changing coaches whenever tournament results fall short of expectations.

A longer tenure would give Hudson more time to develop Thailand’s playing style, build a deeper player database and strengthen the pathway between youth teams and the senior national side.

For now, however, reports of the extension remain unofficial. FAT has yet to announce details including the exact duration, performance clauses or the scope of Hudson’s authority.

His immediate test will be the FIFA ASEAN Cup in Indonesia, including the meeting with Vietnam at 6:30 p.m. on September 29.

The 2027 Asian Cup will follow as another major test for Hudson and Thailand as they seek to compete more effectively against Asia’s stronger national teams.

For Vietnam, attention is more immediate.

Kim must first settle on a squad capable of coping with the loss of several established players before facing the Philippines and then renewing one of Southeast Asian football’s biggest rivalries.

After the Thailand match, Vietnam will travel to Jakarta to face Pakistan on October 2.

Dai Nam - Ngoc Huy