Khuất Văn Khang also leaves the Vietnam national team, Coach Kim Sang Sik urgently calls up Gia Bảo

The Korean coach is dealing with further lineup changes, with the Vietnam team parting ways with two mainstays, Đỗ Duy Mạnh and Khuất Văn Khang, because of their injuries.

To ensure enough players ahead of the friendly match against Myanmar and the campaign to defend the ASEAN Championship 2026 title, the Korean manager decided to call up additional center-back Khổng Minh Gia Bảo.

Earlier, team captain Đỗ Duy Mạnh was allowed by the coaching staff to return to his club, Hà Nội FC, for continued treatment after failing to recover from his injury. Despite his efforts to rehabilitate during the training camp, the 29-year-old defender could not reach peak physical condition to stay with the national team.

On July 16, the team received more bad news as Khuất Văn Khang also had to leave the training camp due to an injury.

The midfielder from Thể Công Viettel did not meet professional requirements after being monitored by the medical staff, and was sent back to his club for further treatment. Văn Khang's absence leaves Coach Kim Sang Sik with one fewer quality option in midfield and on the wings.

To promptly reinforce the squad, Coach Kim Sang Sik called up center-back Khổng Minh Gia Bảo to the Vietnam national team. This player will join the camp as soon as possible to help the team complete final preparations before entering the 2026 ASEAN Championship.

On the afternoon of July 16, the Vietnam national team held its final training session at the Vietnam Youth Football Training Center before departing for Thái Nguyên on the morning of July 17.

The friendly match against Myanmar is seen as a crucial dress rehearsal for the coaching staff to finalize the lineup and tactical plans ahead of the journey to defend the Southeast Asian championship.