Will Coach Kim Sang Sik temporarily part ways with Vietnam National Team in September?

Coach Kim Sang Sik may miss the Vietnam National Team’s September call-up because of overlapping fixtures, requiring the coaching staff to plan task distribution between the two team tiers.

The year 2026 is expected to be exceptionally busy for Vietnamese football as the national team participates in multiple important tournaments. After the March gathering for friendlies against Bangladesh and the crucial 2027 Asian Cup qualifier against Malaysia, Coach Kim Sang Sik’s squad will embark on defending their AFF Cup 2026 title, which will be held in July and August for the first time instead of the year-end.

Besides aiming to retain the regional championship, the Vietnam team must also prepare the next generation for the 2027 Asian Cup and the 2030 World Cup qualifiers. However, a staffing challenge on the coaching bench might arise in September, when the FIFA international window for the national team coincides with the Vietnamese youth team’s participation in the 2026 ASIAD in Japan from September 19 to October 4.

According to his contract with the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), Coach Kim Sang Sik is responsible for both the senior Vietnam team and the U23 squad simultaneously. Although VFF has decided to send only the U21 team to ASIAD, the Korean strategist is likely to lead the youth team in this continental tournament, while the senior team, playing only friendlies, could be managed by an interim coach.

This scenario previously occurred in September 2025, when Coach Kim led the U23 Vietnam team in the 2026 AFC U23 Championship qualifiers. At that time, assistant coach Đinh Hồng Vinh took over as acting head coach of the senior team, leading them in two friendly matches against Nam Định and Hanoi Police Club. A similar delegation model could be reused to ensure objectives are met at both team levels.

Given the congested schedule, ASIAD 2026 will likely be Coach Kim Sang Sik’s main focus in September. The tournament in Japan is not only significant for results but also serves as a crucial preparation step for Vietnam’s youth football long-term goals, with the U21 team intended to build the next generation for the Olympic cycle and other continental competitions.

According to plans, Vietnam will mainly use the U21 squad at ASIAD to gain future experience, but the rule allowing registration of up to three overage players opens the door for experienced individuals. Nguyễn Đình Bắc emerges as a notable candidate, especially after his evident progress with Hanoi Police Club and his versatile attacking performance at the recent AFC U23 Championship.

If given the chance, the Nghệ An-born forward would not only add experience to the young squad but could also serve as a key technical leader, a stark contrast to his less prominent role in the previous ASIAD. Coach Kim’s direct leadership of the U21 team, along with players like Đình Bắc, is expected to mark a new phase, helping Vietnamese football maintain competitiveness now while laying foundations for future ambitions.