Coach Kim Sang Sik gives opportunities to a series of U23 Vietnamese players in the rematch against Nepal?

The rematch with the Nepal national team is considered a suitable occasion for Coach Kim Sang Sik to offer opportunities to several new players in the Vietnam squad.

The 3-1 victory over Nepal allowed the Vietnam team to achieve their goal of securing all 3 points in the third match of Group F in the final round of Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers. However, the performance of Coach Kim Sang Sik’s squad still revealed several weaknesses, especially in defense and finishing abilities.

In this match, the Korean coach still relied on experienced players such as Văn Lâm, Tiến Dũng, Duy Mạnh, Xuân Mạnh, Tiến Linh... This core helped the team start well with an early goal in the 9th minute but lacked stability for the remainder of the first half. The sluggish defense and poor coordination among the center backs led to Vietnam conceding an equalizer from a simple but effective aerial play by an opponent ranked 62 places lower.

In the second half, Coach Kim made several reasonable personnel changes by introducing Văn Vĩ, Thanh Nhàn, Gia Hưng, and Đình Bắc. With the advantage of playing with one extra player, the home team regained control, scoring two more goals to secure the valuable 3 points.

“Although we had many shots and should have scored more goals, scoring 3 goals is still a success. We need to be more efficient in finishing to score even more,” Coach Kim Sang Sik commented after the match.

What happened in the second half proved that youth can make a difference. The U23 players brought energy, speed, and fiery spirit — qualities that the veterans sometimes fail to maintain consistently.

Coach Kim Sang Sik has many promising U23 players like goalkeeper Trần Trung Kiên, defenders Phi Hoàng, Nhật Minh, Hiểu Minh, and midfielders Văn Khang, Xuân Bắc. These players have shown impressive form recently in the V-League and U23 Vietnam. Giving them opportunities is not only a necessary test but also a strategic step toward long-term development.

Statistics from the match against Nepal show Vietnam took 24 shots but only scored 3 goals, a conversion rate not matching their dominant possession. The inclusion of young players with modern thinking and good pace could help Coach Kim Sang Sik solve this issue. These new faces will add energy, increase competition, and provide more flexible options for upcoming matches.

“What we need to do now is focus on winning,”Coach Kim Sang Sik reiterated the Vietnam team’s goal for the remaining matches. After the first leg, the Korean coach surely gained a comprehensive assessment of each player’s performance and a better understanding of the opponent’s style.

The upcoming rematch with Nepal at Thống Nhất Stadium is viewed as the right time for the Korean coach to give young players a chance to play alongside the veterans. If the young players continue to perform well, they could become key figures in the current Vietnam team’s youth rejuvenation strategy.

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