Vietnam vs Myanmar: A boost ahead of the ASEAN Cup (7:00 PM on July 18, live on FPT Play)

The friendly encounter with Myanmar at Thai Nguyen Stadium on the evening of July 18 is more than a mere trial. It represents the last opportunity for coach Kim Sang Sik to refine the team structure, evaluate his players, and generate a psychological boost ahead of the mission to retain the ASEAN Cup 2026 crown.

Amid significant changes in the squad, the clash with Myanmar carries greater importance than a typical friendly. After nearly two weeks of training in South Korea, the Vietnamese team has returned with a relatively optimistic outlook.

Three friendlies against South Korean clubs resulted in a perfect record: 10 goals scored and only 2 conceded. Although the quality of opponents may not provide a definitive test, the positive aspect is that coach Kim Sang Sik has gained a wealth of professional data.

More important than the results is the fact that nearly every player was given playing time. New faces in the attack have shown a consistent ability to score. It can be said that the journey in South Korea has helped the Korean coach largely shape the core squad for the ASEAN Cup 2026.

However, the match against Myanmar remains essential, as it marks the first time the team has played in front of a large home crowd in months. The sold-out stadium in Thai Nguyen is an encouraging sign, highlighting the team's enduring appeal. That passionate atmosphere will serve as a mental boost for the players ahead of their Southeast Asian title defense.

From a professional standpoint, Myanmar is not an overly strong opponent, but neither should they be underestimated. The team recently appointed Norwegian coach Jorn Andersen on July 9. With experience in Europe and Asia, Andersen will undoubtedly want to use the match against Vietnam to assess his players' abilities and gradually build a new playing style.

However, a working period of just over a week is too short for this coach to make major changes. Myanmar still relies largely on a familiar core, with many players active in Thailand, Malaysia, or Indonesia. The visitors have high fighting spirit, but in terms of squad quality and consistency, they are still rated lower than the Vietnamese team.

The head-to-head record also heavily favors the hosts. In 12 meetings, Vietnam has won 9, drawn 2, and lost only once. Notably, in their most recent encounter at the ASEAN Cup 2024, Vietnam thrashed Myanmar 5-0 at Viet Tri Stadium.

That match was especially significant for Nguyen Xuan Son, as the Brazilian-born naturalized striker scored his first brace for the national team. The remaining goals were scored by Vi Hao, Quang Hai, and Tien Linh, kicking off an emotional championship journey for the red-shirted squad at that time.

Those fond memories will surely boost the team's confidence ahead of the rematch. However, this is not a game where coach Kim Sang Sik places excessive emphasis on the result. What he needs is improvement in the execution of the game plan, connectivity between the lines, and especially backup personnel options.

The absence of Duy Manh, Ngoc Bao, Van Khang, and Khoa Ngo has somewhat affected the team. The defense still requires further experiments, while the forward line must also demonstrate diversity in attack.

A victory would be welcome, but more importantly, the Vietnamese team needs to show balance and stability, because in less than a week, the campaign to defend the ASEAN Cup title will officially begin.