Coach Kim calls, will the 'young shoot' respond at the AFF Cup?

Finding youth for the Vietnam team

When calling up young players like Van Truong and Vi Hao to the Vietnam national team in the September training session, coach Kim Sang-sik affirmed that he would create opportunities for young stars because "they are the future of Vietnamese football".

After the successful period of coach Park Hang-seo (2017-2022), his successor Philippe Troussier has breathed new life into the team by promoting many U.23 players to the Vietnam national team such as Thai Son, Minh Trong, Dinh Bac, Thai Son...

Vi Hao (purple shirt) in Binh Duong Club shirt

However, the playing philosophy that emphasizes control, combined with only youth and lack of experience, caused coach Troussier's team to fail in both the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and the Asian Cup, ending the French coach's short reign.

Coach Kim Sang-sik learned from his predecessor, not rushing to rejuvenate but still giving the "sword" to the pillars, then interweaving young players into positions with weak personnel. Vi Hao took advantage of the rare opportunity to prove himself by scoring 3 goals in the last 2 matches, including a double against Nam Dinh and a goal against India. Van Truong also impressed the coaching staff when playing as a central midfielder in the match against Russia, with confident turns to cover and bold passes.

Coach Kim Sang-sik affirmed that most young Vietnamese players are not appreciated in the V-League. The only ones who have a place at their current clubs are Vi Hao, Minh Khoa, Minh Trong (Binh Duong Club), Thai Son (Thanh Hoa Club)...

The rest, most of the U.23 players like Dinh Bac and Van Truong are just taking the first steps on the journey to find a place.

Van Truong in the Vietnamese national team jersey

Therefore, the opportunities that coach Kim Sang-sik gives are even more meaningful to young players. Every minute of playing on the international stage, side by side with seniors, builds steps for the "young shoots" to grow, and the success of Quang Hai and Van Hau in the past is proof.

However, how to rejuvenate appropriately is a difficult problem for coach Kim Sang-sik, in the context of the pressure of achievement still weighing heavily on his shoulders. If he takes a risk with the "gamble" of youth like coach Troussier did, the risk of failure is obvious. However, if he only trusts veterans, Mr. Kim's young generation will hardly have space to mature. Because without stumbling and polishing, "rough gems" cannot become treasures.

Vi Hao and Thai Son have a chance.

3 goals for the Vietnam national team in October was the perfect greeting of young talent Vi Hao with coach Kim Sang-sik. The player born in 2003 has built a solid position at Binh Duong Club, with 72 matches and 8 goals in V-League from 2022 to present.

Vi Hao has a good physical foundation and his speed and jumping ability are better than the average young player. However, years of training in Binh Duong's first team have helped the 21-year-old striker improve both his mentality and competitive spirit. Vi Hao knows when to accelerate, when to keep the rhythm, or to think and observe before handling the ball instead of just relying on strength.

Vi Hao's maturity has been recognized by coach Kim Sang-sik, with his trust in the last 4 friendly matches. At the AFF Cup 2024, when coach Kim could not find a satisfactory attacking formula, Vi Hao had the opportunity to squeeze into the right wing.

Coach Kim Sang-sik

In the midfield, Thai Son is also likely to be trusted. The star born in 2003 is currently the most stable central midfielder, contributing to Thanh Hoa Club leading the V-League. The ability to cling, compete, wide activity intensity and "fire" of enthusiasm are the strengths that Thai Son has shown under coach Troussier.

Trained by a coach who favors pressing and physical play like Velizar Popov, Thai Son is one of the midfielders who plows and runs the most.

In the past matches, coach Kim Sang-sik has used a series of midfielders such as Ngoc Quang, Thanh Long, Thai Son, Hoang Duc, Quang Hai... This is a position that Mr. Kim is still hesitant about. If he performs well during the training trip in Korea, Thai Son will have the opportunity to be present in the main squad.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/doi-tuyen-viet-nam-thay-kim-goi-mang-non-co-tra-loi-o-aff-cup-185241121152555527.htm