Vietnam’s U22 team recently had a fairly successful campaign in China. Now, the pressing task for head coach Kim Sang Sik is how to help this young squad continue developing - so they don’t fade into obscurity.

Keeping Vietnam U22 from vanishing into thin air

Under the leadership of coach Gong Oh Kyun, the U22 team - then competing as U23 Vietnam - made an impressive run to the quarterfinals of the 2022 AFC U23 Championship, only bowing out to eventual champions Saudi Arabia.

Following that tournament, fans were optimistic that many of those players would transition to the senior national team. However, in reality, only a few names like Khuat Van Khang, Hai Long, and Viet Anh have managed to earn spots - and even those are still fighting to cement themselves as key members. The rest have struggled to secure playing time at the club level, let alone the national team.

This isn’t the first time a generation of promising U22/U23 players has faded after a single standout tournament. Many once-promising names have flashed brightly, only to disappear soon after. It’s little wonder, then, that fans are once again cautious, despite the team’s solid performance in China.

What coach Kim Sang Sik needs to do

Leaving aside the whirlwind changes during coach Philippe Troussier’s tenure, the current Vietnam national team under Kim Sang Sik has a sizeable contingent of players in the U22–U23 age bracket. For instance, Bui Vi Hao and Trung Kien were both part of the squad for recent matches against Cambodia and Laos.

By calling up these young talents, coach Kim Sang Sik appears to be sending a clear message: opportunities are open for everyone.

More importantly, the South Korean coach clearly has long-term ambitions, aiming to rejuvenate the national team with fresh, youthful talent.

Yet even with his openness and willingness to give young players a shot, there’s an undeniable reality: very few of this current U22–U23 generation have proven themselves in the V-League, Vietnam’s top professional football league and the best platform for developing technical skills and game experience.

Most of them - when they do play - are limited to substitute appearances. This stands in stark contrast to previous stars like Quang Hai, Van Hau, Cong Phuong, and Hoang Duc, who were already regular starters in the V-League at the same age.

That’s why, while coach Kim Sang Sik is making a real effort to cultivate U22–U23 players for the future of the national team, the players themselves must also push harder. Progress can't depend solely on the "magic" of a forward-thinking coach. Personal drive and consistent performance at club level are essential if they are to make the leap to senior national duty.

Duy Nguyen