Mr. Kim Sang-sik's choice
Despite the pressure to win, coach Kim Sang-sik still took full advantage of the friendly match with India (evening of October 12) to test his players.
In particular, the frequency of young players on the field is guaranteed. Bui Vi Hao started, Nguyen Thai Son, Nguyen Dinh Bac and Khuat Van Khang entered the field in the second half. In the match against Nam Dinh, Vi Hao, Thai Son and Nguyen Van Truong were named. Previously, in the match against Russia or Thailand, the duo Vi Hao and Van Truong were given a thorough opportunity.
Dinh Bac was trusted by coach Kim Sang-sik in the match against India.
There were positive signs. Vi Hao scored 3 goals in the last 2 matches, highly appreciated by both Kim Sang-sik and Indian coach Manolo Marquez. Thai Son scored 1 goal, impressing with his aggressiveness. Van Khang and Dinh Bac, despite their shortcomings, still ran tirelessly. Thanks to the young players, the Vietnamese team pressed India in the last 20 minutes and created many opportunities.
Dinh Bac, Thai Son and Van Truong are the faces that former coach Philippe Troussier once brought to the Vietnam national team. In a short year of training, the French coach drastically rejuvenated the team by giving starting positions to many U.23 faces such as Phan Tuan Tai, Vo Minh Trong, Dinh Bac and Thai Son.
Although the result of the rejuvenation was failure in the 2023 Asian Cup and the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, directly forcing Mr. Troussier to leave, purifying the team with young blood is a mandatory trend. Coach Kim Sang-sik saw that, just in a more skillful and gentle way.
Instead of defaulting to giving a starting position to his favorite player, Mr. Kim intersperses each face with moderate frequency. Young players have to fight for their positions themselves, instead of waiting for favors.
Vi Hao gained his position through hard work.
The 9 U.23 players who were called up to the national team in this training session could be the starting point for a revolution. For example, Vi Hao only needed 6 months to move from the reserve position in the U.23 Vietnam team to the national team, then scored 3 goals in the last 2 matches. Although he needs more experience to mature, Vi Hao has the desire and pride of youth to be ready to change.
How many more “rough gems” are waiting to be discovered? Surely, the initial success of Binh Duong’s young talent is the motivation for coach Kim Sang-sik to continue “digging for gems”.
However, to rejuvenate, having young talent is not enough.
The next wave needs the previous wave.
Two years ago, coach Park Hang-seo’s Vietnam team easily crushed India with a score of 3-0. At Thong Nhat Stadium that day, Mr. Park gave opportunities to Nham Manh Dung, Nguyen Thanh Nhan, Nguyen Dinh Duy and Khuat Van Khang.
Why did the previous Vietnamese team operate smoothly, using the same "young shoots" (Mr. Park was even more adventurous), completely different from the current disunity?
The answer lies in the pillars, that is, the seniors who are playing the key role. To rejuvenate, the Vietnamese team needs a solid foundation. That is a clearly defined playing style, experienced pillars and the desire to occupy key positions.
Coach Kim Sang-sik needs to use harmonious people
Using many young players does not mean successful rejuvenation, no matter how talented those players are. But to reform the team, the role of the “old generation” is very important. The young generation needs a strong senior to rely on for their first steps.
In 2018, the Vietnamese team won the AFF Cup thanks to the talented U.23 generation of Quang Hai, Cong Phuong, Dinh Trong, Van Hau... but don't forget how the experience of Van Lam, Ngoc Hai, Anh Duc, Hung Dung, Van Quyet, Trong Hoang helped the younger generation rely on.
For example, although the young generation makes up the majority of the Vietnamese team, Coach Park's students still have to rely on the scoring talent of Anh Duc, the perseverance of Hung Dung, Trong Hoang or the steadfastness of Ngoc Hai to overcome difficult matches.
Harmoniously combining youth and experience is a difficult problem. Coach Kim Sang-sik has opened the door for young talent to continue the path that Mr. Troussier has not yet fully taken. But remember, the pillars must be good enough to become a fulcrum. The connection between young and old in the Vietnamese team is still loose.
That is the reason why the Vietnamese team is in an unfinished stage.
Comment (0)