While the scoreline was far narrower than the team's emphatic 6-0 victory over Siheung FC a few days earlier, the latest result may prove even more valuable for head coach Kim Sang Sik, who gained a clearer picture of how his players respond under greater pressure.

Tougher opposition, another victory

Yongin FC, which competes in K League 2, presented a significantly stronger challenge than Vietnam's opening opponent.

As in the first training match, Kim fielded two completely different lineups, with each group playing one half to maximize playing time and evaluate multiple tactical combinations ahead of the regional tournament.

The Korean side, featuring Brazilian attackers Gabriel Tigrao and new signing Vitinho, controlled possession during the early stages and forced Vietnam to defend for extended periods.

Despite spending long spells without the ball, Vietnam remained dangerous on the counterattack.

The breakthrough came in the ninth minute, when Hai Long reacted quickest inside the penalty area to fire Vietnam into the lead.

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Hai Long celebrates after opening the scoring for Vietnam. Photo: VFF

Vietnam continued to threaten and nearly doubled its advantage in the 20th minute when Hai Long surged down the left flank before delivering a precise cross for Van Cuong, whose effort was denied by the Yongin goalkeeper.

The Korean club equalized shortly before halftime, scoring in the 42nd minute to send the teams into the break level at 1-1.

Xuan Son delivers the winner

Kim replaced his entire starting lineup after halftime as he continued experimenting with personnel and tactical options.

The second half remained highly competitive, with both teams maintaining an intense tempo and producing several physical battles across the pitch.

The decisive moment arrived in the 75th minute, when striker Nguyen Xuan Son rose above the defense to power home a header, sealing a 2-1 victory for Vietnam.

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Nguyen Xuan Son celebrates after scoring the winning goal. Photo: VFF

More valuable than the scoreline

Although Vietnam scored fewer goals than in its opening 6-0 victory, the match against Yongin FC arguably provided more meaningful tactical information for Kim Sang Sik.

Rather than evaluating his team against overmatched opposition, the South Korean coach was able to observe how his players coped with sustained pressure, maintained their intensity and executed tactical instructions against a stronger opponent.

The performance also offered encouraging signs from two of Vietnam's key attacking players.

Hai Long continued the impressive form he has shown since the end of the domestic season, carrying his confidence from club football into the national team.

Meanwhile, Xuan Son once again demonstrated the instincts of a classic center forward by appearing at exactly the right moment to decide the match.

Just as importantly, Vietnam maintained its winning momentum even as the level of competition increased.

A closely contested victory often provides coaches with more useful information than a comfortable rout. Defensive organization, transitions between attack and defense, game management and the chemistry between different units all become easier to evaluate when the opposition is capable of creating genuine problems.

For Kim, the 2-1 result therefore represents progress of a different kind.

The satisfaction comes not from scoring fewer goals than in the previous match, but from seeing his squad gradually develop according to the tactical roadmap established for the ASEAN Cup.

Final test awaits

Vietnam will remain in Incheon for further training before facing Gangwon FC, a K League 1 club, on July 13.

The match is expected to be the toughest test of the South Korea training camp and the final opportunity for Kim Sang Sik to evaluate his squad before Vietnam returns home.

The team will then prepare for an international friendly against Myanmar before launching its campaign to defend the ASEAN Cup title.

If the opening 6-0 victory over Siheung FC helped build confidence, the hard-earned win against Yongin FC may have provided something even more important - a belief that Vietnam can continue adapting and improving as the level of competition rises.

For Kim Sang Sik, that may be the most encouraging outcome of the training camp so far.

Dai Nam - Duy Nguyen