The recent 0-4 defeat to Malaysia in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers was not just a forgettable stumble. It exposed a troubling reality: Vietnam is stagnating, both tactically and in terms of personnel. The squad remains overly reliant on familiar faces from the Park Hang Seo era - players like Quang Hai, Hoang Duc, Tien Linh, and Bui Tien Dung - who have formed the team’s backbone for the past five to seven years.

While these veterans still possess class and experience to merit their places, the team lacks the dynamism and mental lift needed during critical moments. This excessive conservatism risks stifling progress and evolution.

A key question arises: does Vietnam lack quality players to justify maintaining such a rigid lineup through half of Kim Sang Sik’s contract?

The answer is no. The 2024-25 V-League season has showcased numerous young and ambitious talents with strong potential, yet they remain absent from Kim’s plans. While it is within any coach’s prerogative to choose players based on strategic priorities, clinging to safe options too long can spell failure.

Even Coach Park Hang Seo - Vietnam’s most successful coach to date - serves as a cautionary tale. His inability to adapt and evolve after initial triumphs eventually led to a stagnation of results.

Vietnam’s loss to Malaysia makes qualifying for the 2027 Asian Cup more difficult but not impossible. There is still ample time between now and the rematch in March 2026 for Coach Kim to change course and potentially reverse Vietnam’s fortunes.

This is an ideal moment for bold, transformative personnel decisions. In addition to relying on naturalized players and seasoned veterans, Kim Sang Sik should seize the opportunity to give younger, newer faces a chance - especially in upcoming matches against Nepal and Laos. Doing so could foster greater competition, inject fresh energy, and build a stronger foundation for the team’s future.

Duy Nguyen