Vietnam National Team vs Nepal: Awaiting Coach Kim Sang Sik’s Changes

14/10/2025 14:15:00 ceshi

The two back-to-back matches against Nepal this October provide an ideal chance for Coach Kim Sang Sik to experiment with U23 players for the Vietnam National Team. After a somewhat reserved youth inclusion and an unimpressive style in the first leg on October 9, fans expect the Korean coach to be more daring in giving U23 players opportunities in the second leg today (October 14).

No U23 players started in the lineup on October 9, but today Coach Kim Sang Sik may make major changes in his personnel selections.

Firstly, Coach Kim Sang Sik has gained insight into Nepal’s tactics as well as their strengths and weaknesses after the match at Gò Đậu Stadium. Secondly, the fitness status of key players such as Bùi Tiến Dũng and Hoàng Đức might compel Coach Kim Sang Sik to field some U23 players to replace the veterans, especially considering the LPBank V-League 2025/26 resumes this weekend and no club wants their star players returning in poor health.

From another perspective, today’s match is also a perfect opportunity for Coach Kim Sang Sik to boldly test new personnel strategies for the Vietnam team, since the remaining two matches in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers are not ideal for risky moves, with away games against Laos and a must-win home game against Malaysia in March 2026.

Meanwhile, Coach Kim Sang Sik also needs higher-level tests to assess the abilities of his U23 players ahead of two very important upcoming events: SEA Games 33 and the 2026 AFC U23 Championship.

U23 players like Thanh Nhàn only came on as substitutes in the October 9 match, but the situation might change today. Photo: Tuấn Phạm

Vietnam failed to deliver a convincing and impressive performance against Nepal in the first leg, but perhaps with more chances given to the young and eager U23 players in the second leg, the team will display a fresher and more energetic image.

Frankly, most players from the 2018 Thường Châu generation such as Duy Mạnh, Bùi Tiến Dũng, and Xuân Mạnh are nearing the later stages of their careers, and the time when Vietnam must say goodbye to them is not far off.

Therefore, if the gradual integration of the U23 generation into the Vietnam national team is not done promptly and properly, we will face a passive and awkward generational transition in the future.

Although called U23, many members of the Vietnam U23 team like Văn Khang, Đình Bắc, and Thanh Nhàn have already been called up to the senior national team in the past 2-3 years, so the national jersey likely won’t feel too large for them. The question now is how much opportunity Coach Kim Sang Sik will give the U23 players in today’s match.

In over a year working in Vietnam, Coach Kim Sang Sik has shown himself to be a very perceptive coach in player usage and tactical adjustments, and unlike former coaches Park Hang Seo or Philippe Troussier, he has never made decisions that stirred public controversy.

Therefore, everyone is looking forward to Coach Kim making the right personnel choices for today’s match against Nepal.

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