'Flaws' in the playing style of the Vietnamese team

The attack line lacks a spearhead.

Coach Kim Sang-sik found a solution to the problem of Xuan Son's absence by dividing the "firepower" of the Vietnamese team with many players. In the friendly match against Cambodia, 2 goals were scored by Hai Long and Van Vi. In the match against Laos, Van Vi (double) and Hai Long continued to score, along with goals by Ngoc Quang and Quang Hai.

Vietnam team (left) needs to improve

PHOTO: NGOC LINH

With 7 goals shared by 4 players, including 3 midfielders, coach Kim Sang-sik is effectively activating the power of the midfield. When Xuan Son was still present in the Vietnam team, he became the brain of the attack, when his teammates pushed the ball to independently fight and finish. Because Xuan Son was so excellent, even though the opponent assigned 2-3 people to follow him, the Brazilian striker still glided to score. However, without Xuan Son, the Vietnam team had to play differently. The attack was more diverse, the ball control was more systematic and methodical, more players took turns entering the penalty area. With the big win against Laos, the Vietnam team initially adapted to the new playing rhythm.

However, no matter how they play, the Vietnamese team needs a powerful striker. They may not need to be as versatile as Xuan Son, but they must have basic skills such as controlling, creating a wall, connecting the play and penetrating the penalty area to score when needed.

Both of the striker options that Mr. Kim used did not demonstrate their abilities. Tuan Hai was absent in the match against Cambodia, then was not used in the striker role in the match against Laos. Tien Linh played in the second half against Cambodia and the whole match against Laos, but did not leave much of an impression. The striker of Binh Duong Club had few shots, did not often approach the penalty area. Tien Linh had many moments of falling back to attract an opposing defender, opening up space for Hai Long or Ngoc Quang to rush forward. However, this 28-year-old striker only played at a level close to his role, when he did not have many neat combinations, nor was he fast enough to break through. The ball blocking for Hoang Duc to finish in the second half was probably a rare moment when the reigning Vietnamese Golden Ball clearly showed his presence on the field. Coach Kim Sang-sik is very tall

Coach Kim in the victory over Laos

The Vietnamese team still won big despite the lackluster strikers, simply because the Lao team was too weak. However, the match against Malaysia will be different. The team nicknamed "The Tiger" beat Nepal by only 2 goals, but football does not have a bridge-building nature, that Malaysia does not win big means they are not strong. In the 2024 AFF Cup, Malaysia was eliminated in the group stage, due to the lack of many good players playing for JDT Club (this team refused to release them). In the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, when the matches took place within the framework of FIFA Days, Malaysia had a full squad.

The "Tigers" have also just introduced two naturalized players, Hector Hevel (28 years old, Dutch) and Gabriel Palmero (23 years old, Spanish). In particular, rookie Hevel has integrated quickly with a goal against Nepal in his debut match. The match against Malaysia will be very different, requiring the Vietnamese team's attack to be more diverse. Facing the Vietnamese strikers will be Malaysian defenders famous for their speed and toughness. Coach Kim Sang-sik needs the strikers to change, to leave the opponent's "fire pan" with at least 1 point.

Need more team 2

Coach Kim Sang-sik surprised everyone by using his strongest squad in the match against Cambodia. Only Viet Hung was a new option, but he was also replaced after 27 minutes. In the match against Laos, the Vietnamese team also tested a player, midfielder Minh Khoa.

Coach Kim admitted his cautious mentality when he said he "regretted not being able to give opportunities to reserve players". Unlike the first phase of training the Vietnamese team, the Korean coach restrained his experimental plans in the March training session even though he only faced opponents of lower level.

Firstly, the Vietnamese team wants to be sure of winning. Secondly, the new players have not yet convinced the coaching staff. Midfielder Minh Khoa is a rare player who plays well, thanks to his aggressiveness and determination, helping the Vietnamese team's midfield become more dynamic. However, the Lao team is not a strong enough test for Khoa to show his full potential.

Or with Viet Hung, Mr. Kim only needed less than half an hour to conclude that his students did not meet the playing style. As for Trung Kien, Ly Duc (reserve) or Thai Son (not registered), perhaps the Vietnam national team shirt is still too wide. Because the gap between the main and reserve groups is still too far, Mr. Kim had to choose a safe solution.

This is an obstacle that prevents the Vietnamese team from reforming their playing style. Hopefully, in the next 2 months, Coach Kim Sang-sik will continue to filter out talented players in the V-League to gradually change the team's appearance.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/san-trong-loi-choi-cua-doi-tuyen-viet-nam-185250327201855099.htm