Vietnam national team makes a surprise adjustment before departing for South Korea

Vietnam's squad altered their practice timetable on July 1 prior to leaving for South Korea to train for the 2026 ASEAN Cup.

The Vietnam national team changed its training plan on July 1, moving the final session in Hanoi to the morning. This marks the last preparation step for coach Kim Sang Sik and his players before they depart for South Korea to train, with the objective of defending the 2026 ASEAN Cup title.

According to the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), the team will train at 10:00 AM at the Vietnam Youth Football Training Center instead of the originally scheduled 5:00 PM. After the session, the squad will rest in the afternoon to finalize preparations before leaving for South Korea on the morning of July 2. The schedule change is seen as a way to provide the most convenient travel conditions and give players extra recovery time before the nearly two-week training camp.

The training camp in South Korea, running from July 2 to 14, is considered a crucial phase in Vietnam's preparation for the 2026 ASEAN Cup. During this period, coach Kim Sang Sik and his players will play three friendly matches against local clubs to assess the squad, evaluate each player's form, and test new tactical options ahead of the tournament.

Before departing, the team has also begun familiarizing themselves with the official match ball for the 2026 ASEAN Cup. The coaching staff believes that early exposure to the match ball will help players improve their touch, control, and handling in high-speed situations. This is one of the carefully prepared details to ensure the team reaches peak condition for the competition.

The atmosphere within the team is also very positive. Goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien stated that he feels no pressure competing against two senior players with extensive experience: Dang Van Lam and Patrik Le Giang. Additionally, the 2003-born goalkeeper highly praised the adaptability of newcomer Nguyen Tai Loc, noting that the naturalized striker quickly integrated with teammates both in daily life and in professional matters.

After completing the training camp in South Korea, the Vietnam national team will return home for the final preparation phase. Coach Kim Sang Sik and his players are scheduled to play an international friendly against Myanmar on July 18 before officially beginning their campaign to defend the 2026 ASEAN Cup title. This schedule adjustment demonstrates the team's thorough preparation aimed at achieving peak performance in the region's top tournament.