U23 Vietnam and the cost of squad rotation

15/10/2025 06:55:00 soccer

Coach Kim Sang Sik, despite being reserved, granted chances to U23 players in the recent two matches against Nepal in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. This was his goal, as rotating players always adds value at any moment.

At the Vietnam national team press briefings for the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, particularly during the October FIFA Days matches against Nepal, Coach Kim Sang Sik was often questioned about the presence of 8 U23 players in the national squad. Would they be given the chance to play and showcase their abilities?

He neither confirmed nor denied, nor did he publicly disclose the lineup choices to the media, which is strictly avoided in favor of internal discussions. The reality afterward spoke for itself.

All the U23 players listed for the two matches against Nepal were given opportunities by Coach Kim Sang Sik. Whether they played a lot, a little, or even not at all, training alongside senior teammates and experiencing the national team environment was a valuable advantage not every young player receives.

The road ahead is still long. Before the U23 Vietnam team embarks on the campaign for the SEA Games 33 gold medal and later the 2026 U23 Asian Championship, the Vietnam national team will face Laos away in November during the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. At that time, U23 players will surely have more chances to prove themselves on the national stage.

Thanh Nhàn (left) is among the U23 Vietnam players who featured in the two matches against Nepal. Photo: Tuấn Phạm

However, to seize these opportunities, the U23 players themselves must demonstrate their professional skills and eagerness to contribute. It is no coincidence that Trung Kiên, Hiểu Minh, Nhật Minh, Đình Bắc, and Thanh Nhàn were included in the Vietnam squad for the Asian Cup qualifiers against Nepal.

Yet, this presence does not guarantee they will continue to be called up for future national or U23 team gatherings. The reason is that competition for spots in the U23 squad is as fierce as in the senior national team.

A single moment of distraction, mistake, or injury can cause any player to be dropped from the race to SEA Games 33, the most important football tournament in Vietnam in 2025.

Coach Kim Sang Sik did not directly lead the U23 Vietnam team during the UAE tour, where the team played two friendlies losing 0-1 and 2-3 to U23 Qatar. However, the selection of players, tactical plans, and lineup adjustments for these matches were all approved by Acting Head Coach Đinh Hồng Vinh through Kim Sang Sik.

Rotating the entire U23 lineup in the two matches against U23 Qatar gave the coaching staff valuable assessments of each player’s abilities, aiming toward preparations for SEA Games 33 and the 2026 U23 Asian Championship.

Even players who saw little playing time like Nguyễn Tân, Quang Kiệt, Tuấn Phong, Nam Hải, Minh Phúc, Thành Trung, Thành Đạt, Long Vũ, and Lê Phát still have the potential to compete for places in the SEA Games squad.

Squad rotation always brings value, especially for coaches. But from a player’s perspective, the key is to always stay ready and know how to seize opportunities. Doing so enables them to quickly adapt and secure a place for themselves, even in unfamiliar teams or environments.

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