Coach Kim Sang-sik shares great news: Vietnam national team is set to have a fresh look at the 2026 ASEAN Championship

Ahead of the training trip to South Korea, Coach Kim Sang-sik conveyed optimistic updates regarding the squad's readiness, the quick adaptation of naturalized athletes, the recovery of cornerstone players, and the outstanding displays from emerging young stars, reinforcing the Korean tactician's belief in retaining the regional title.

Just days before departing for South Korea for training, Coach Kim Sang-sik has provided a series of encouraging updates about the squad of the Vietnam national team. From the recovery of key players, the swift integration of naturalized footballers, to the impressive form of young talents—all these factors give the South Korean coach added confidence in a renewed look for the Golden Star warriors as they aim to defend their championship at the 2026 ASEAN Championship.

To prepare for the flight to Incheon on the morning of July 2, the coaching staff adjusted the team's training schedule from 5 PM to 10 AM on July 1 to ensure optimal physical condition for the players. Before the session, Coach Kim Sang-sik shared notable insights about the personnel situation.

The South Korean manager did not hide his regret as young midfielder Ngo Dang Khoa had to return to his club, unable to continue with the national team. According to him, this is a highly promising player who could have contributed more if given the chance to prepare with the full squad.

Additionally, the 48-year-old strategist brought good news by confirming that center-back Duy Manh and defender Phan Tuan Tai are recovering from injuries very positively. Although they cannot return immediately, both are expected to rejoin the squad fully in the near future.

The most notable highlight of the press conference was Coach Kim Sang-sik's assessment of the naturalized players. This training camp sees the participation of goalkeeper Le Giang Patrik and striker Nguyen Tai Loc, two faces anticipated to elevate the team's strength: "I see those players integrating very well. The arrival of Patrik and those players makes the team much stronger than before. We need to see how quickly they can adapt and find the right combination between them and the current players to prepare for the upcoming ASEAN Cup."

Not only expecting contributions from experienced figures, Coach Kim Sang-sik also continues to open opportunities for young players who are performing well in the V-League, such as Dinh Quang Kiet, Nguyen Ngoc My, Nguyen Tran Viet Cuong, and Nguyen Nhat Minh. According to him, these are individuals who have been followed for a long time and deserve a chance to showcase themselves at the national team level.

According to the plan, on the morning of July 2, the Vietnam national team will hold their final training session at the Vietnam Youth Football Training Center before heading to South Korea. During the two-week training camp, Coach Kim Sang-sik and his players will play three friendly matches against clubs from K.League 1, K.League 2, and K.League 3 to assess the squad, refine their playing style, and test tactical options.

After returning home, the team will play a friendly match against Myanmar on July 18 at Thai Nguyen Stadium before officially embarking on their journey to defend the ASEAN Championship 2026 title. With positive signals from the squad and the emergence of new elements, fans have every reason to anticipate a more competitive image of the Vietnam national team under Coach Kim Sang-sik.