In the aftermath of their 2024 ASEAN Cup victory, the Vietnam national football team needs to integrate new talent. Head coach Kim Sang Sik is pinning his hopes on a revitalized V-League to identify promising players.

A new chapter for Vietnam's national team

Following the conclusion of the 2024 ASEAN Cup and subsequent fan events and media interactions, coach Kim Sang Sik has returned to South Korea for a brief vacation.

However, the man who led Vietnam to its third ASEAN Cup title in history will not be taking an extended break. Instead, he plans to resume his duties soon, focusing on scouting and incorporating fresh talent into both the Vietnam national team and the U23 squad.

Kim's eagerness to return to work is understandable. In multiple post-ASEAN Cup interviews, he emphasized the need to elevate the team’s quality to aim for greater achievements.

This urgency is compounded by challenges such as the loss of key players like Xuan Son and Ho Tan Tai to injuries. With the Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers fast approaching, there is little time to prepare.

Betting on the V-League

Coach Kim Sang Sik’s approach to team selection remains inclusive, with the door to the national team wide open for any player who meets his tactical and technical criteria.

His impartiality is evident, having made bold decisions such as replacing Nguyen Filip with Dinh Trieu and giving opportunities to newcomers like Doan Ngoc Tan.

Yet, enhancing the team with new talent from the V-League is no easy task. The domestic league, which resumes in February 2024 after a long break, faces questions about its competitiveness and player readiness.

These concerns are reinforced by the recent performances in the National Cup Round of 16, which showcased inconsistent quality following an extended hiatus for the ASEAN Cup.

The Vietnam national team’s first Asian Cup qualifier against Laos on March 25 leaves coach Kim with limited time for experimentation and adjustments.

While subsequent matches, such as the one against Nepal in June 2025, may provide more flexibility, much depends on the V-League improving in competitiveness and excitement. If the league’s early stages fail to deliver, the task of rejuvenating the national team will remain challenging.

Duy Nguyen