Coach Kim Sang-sik faces a 'nightmare' ahead of the match against Malaysia

Coach Kim Sang-sik, currently working on establishing the national team’s foundation, is forced to deal with a tough issue called the “injury crisis.”

During the preparation phase for key upcoming goals, especially the crucial match against Malaysia at the end of March and the AFF Cup campaign, the Vietnam national team is facing significant personnel challenges. The continuous occurrence of serious injuries has notably disrupted Coach Kim Sang-sik’s plans for squad building and tactical development.

The list of players struggling with fitness issues is growing longer, mainly affecting critical positions. The case of Đoàn Văn Hậu remains a concern as this left-back sustained an injury in the match between CAHN and Ninh Bình FC, extending his absence from the national team. Văn Hậu’s absence not only weakens the left flank but also impacts the team’s ability to launch wing attacks — a strength of the Vietnam team for many years.

In the same match, midfielder Thái Sơn suffered a severe ligament injury and is expected to be sidelined for about 9 months. This is a significant blow to the midfield, especially since Coach Kim Sang-sik favors energetic midfielders capable of strong challenges and defensive support from a distance.

At the youth team level, the situation is also unfavorable. Hiểu Minh tore a ligament during the U23 Asian Championship semifinal against U23 China, while Văn Trường suffered a ligament injury at the Panda Cup. Although they are not yet key players in the national team, these individuals are part of the succession plan and play important roles in the youth development process that Coach Kim Sang-sik is gradually implementing.

Given this reality, the Korean coach is likely to choose the option of optimizing the currently available domestic resources. In midfield, besides Hoàng Đức, considered the “pivot” in the tactical system, players like Xuân Bắc and Quốc Cường may be given more opportunities. Both have shown progress in the V.League, especially in maintaining rhythm and tactical discipline.

On the left wing, Văn Hậu’s absence is somewhat compensated by Cao Pendant Quang Vinh, a player maintaining stable performance and fitting the philosophy of spatial control, ensuring balance between defense and attacking support. Meanwhile, Hiểu Minh’s injury is assessed as having little short-term impact since he is still gaining experience at the national team level.

Besides domestic options, Coach Kim Sang-sik is reportedly considering adding naturalized players to strengthen the squad depth. Names like Hoàng Hên (Hà Nội FC), Trần Thành Chung (Ninh Bình FC), and Khoa Ngô (Công An TPHCM) could play important rotation roles, especially given the tight schedule and the constant risk of injuries. Notably, Hoàng Hên, who has recently completed naturalization procedures, is expected to bring fresh energy in terms of physicality and contesting ability.

Tactically, the Vietnam national team is likely to maintain a disciplined and solid approach when facing Malaysia, an opponent with superior physical strength and endurance. The key will be the arrangement of the midfield, organizing the flanks, and maximizing the potential of new players to create differences. In the context of a weakened squad, every personnel decision now carries strategic weight and directly affects the team’s upcoming journey.