Vietnam's National Team Revamps Its Wings

24/09/2025 15:11:00 esportapi

Since Văn Hậu got injured, followed by Hồ Tấn Tài, the national team’s wings have been constantly shuffled, and their attacking strength on both sides has diminished somewhat.

Văn Vĩ has been an intriguing find since the 2024 ASEAN Cup on the left flank, exhibiting strong breakthrough pace and scoring skills when cutting inside. On the other flank is Trương Tiến Anh. These are decent options from coach Kim Sang Sik, but the South Korean head coach almost lacks a second plan, as Văn Thanh and Hồng Duy have lost their form.

In the latest Asian Cup 2027 qualifying match, not only the wings but the entire operational system of the Vietnam team nearly fell apart under Malaysia’s fierce assault. We suffered a crushing 0-4 loss in the palm oil country, one of the heaviest defeats in our history against Southeast Asian teams.

The upcoming FIFA Days in October, with both matches against Nepal held at home, present an excellent opportunity for coach Kim Sang Sik to test and even refresh the wings. According to observations, the players who could take on these roles might actually be better than the previous ones—namely the wings of Ninh Bình, the club currently leading the 2025/2026 V-League with an unbeaten streak: Mạch Ngọc Hà (right) and Đỗ Thanh Thịnh (left).

Mạch Ngọc Hà is performing very well as the right-back for Ninh Bình FC. Photo: Hoàng Linh

In the recent 2-0 victory over Nam Định, the quality domestic players of the ancient Hoa Lư club made a difference. Thanh Thịnh, with consistent form and skillful use of both feet, scored one of the two goals against Nguyên Mạnh (the other was by Hoàng Đức). Meanwhile, Mạch Ngọc Hà, with his reliable right foot, can deliver precise passes and is often likened to the "Vietnamese Beckham." Handsome, elegant, and talented on the ball.

It’s also justifiable to say that Ninh Bình is surging ahead and leaving all others behind. With the lethal strike duo Gustavo and Daniel Dos Anjos up front, the heart of the team being Đức Chiến and Hoàng Đức, along with Châu Ngọc Quang, Thanh Thịnh (left), Ngọc Hà (right), Ngọc Bảo, Quang Nho, Gia Hưng lined up across the midfield, and a solid, towering Văn Lâm guarding the goal... the quality of Ninh Bình’s first team is truly worth every penny.

With such squad depth, coach Gerard Castano can easily switch formations from 3-5-2 to 4-4-2 when needed. At that time, players like Trọng Long or Ngọc Lâm, known for their fighting spirit, along with young talents such as Bảo Toàn and Quốc Việt, will have ample opportunities to shine...

From the goalpost, Văn Lâm, Đỗ Thanh Thịnh (left), Mạch Ngọc Hà (right), Đức Chiến and Hoàng Đức in the central zone, with Ngọc Quang playing freely. This is the framework that could be refreshed for the national team during the upcoming FIFA Days in October, after more than half a decade operating around players who have become very familiar to the fans.

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