Coach Kim Sang Sik makes a groundbreaking decision for the future of Vietnam's national team

Coach Kim Sang Sik surprised many by not selecting any U22 players for the Vietnam national team during the November gathering, creating the best conditions for the young players to prepare thoroughly for SEA Games 33 and other significant competitions ahead.

This time, the Vietnam national team roster does not include any players born in 2003 or later; the youngest is goalkeeper Nguyen Van Viet, born in 2002. Coach Kim Sang Sik’s decision stems from the fact that Vietnam’s upcoming opponent, Laos, is not a particularly strong team in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, so he wants to prioritize assembling the strongest possible U22 squad before entering a critical phase.

Meanwhile the Vietnam national team is preparing for an away match in Laos, the U22 Vietnam team will participate in the 2025 Panda Cup international friendly tournament in China. This is a high-quality event featuring U23 teams from China, South Korea, and the reigning U23 Asian champions Uzbekistan. Coach Kim Sang Sik believes that competing against top continental opponents will help the young players mature faster, laying a solid foundation for the future of Vietnamese football.

Notably, the current U22 Vietnam squad is considered very abundant and of high quality. Even the overseas Vietnamese player Tran Thanh Trung, who has performed impressively recently in the V-League, was not included due to fierce competition. Many familiar faces from various national team levels such as Dinh Bac, Khuat Van Khang, Nguyen Trung Kien, Nguyen Hieu Minh, and Nguyen Van Truong are all present, creating a youthful yet internationally experienced lineup.

Right after the Panda Cup, U22 Vietnam will have a final training camp in Vung Tau starting November 23 before heading to Thailand for SEA Games 33. In this tournament, Coach Dinh Hong Vinh’s team is grouped with U22 Malaysia and U22 Laos. Aiming for a medal, the team needs strong cohesion and understanding among these key players to maintain high performance.

Coach Kim Sang Sik’s decision to let the young players fully concentrate on the U22 team shows his long-term strategic vision. The experience gained at the Panda Cup and SEA Games 33 will serve as a valuable stepping stone, preparing this generation for the 2026 U23 Asian Championship finals and eventually taking over positions in the national team. Will this bold choice bring the expected success for Vietnamese football?

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