Expert Doan Minh Xương: 'A Beneficial Test for the Vietnam National Team'

The match against Bangladesh is not only a debut for quality newcomers but also a crucial test for the Vietnam national team before their official confrontation with Malaysia on March 31.

Expert Doan Minh Xương observes that the Vietnam national team had a perfect warm-up through the friendly match with the Bangladesh team: "Having officially secured a spot in the 2027 Asian Cup, Coach Kim Sang Sik's team entered the friendly match with a relaxed mindset. Welcoming Bangladesh became an important test to assemble the lineup, especially on the offensive front with the appearance of newcomer Do Hoang Hên.

This is a valuable 'draft' for Coach Kim Sang Sik to comprehensively review everything before hosting the Malaysia national team. Although Bangladesh ranks nearly 80 places below Vietnam on the FIFA ranking table, Coach Kim Sang Sik's approach demonstrates professionalism and a desire to change the players' football mindset.

We can see that from November 2025 to now, the Vietnam national team has only had a win against Laos in the return leg of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. Also due to a prolonged 'stagnation,' the friendly match with the Bangladesh team was truly a test regarding personnel, playing style, and form to prepare for the rematch with Malaysia itself on March 31.

The Bangladesh national team is a 'green army' perfectly suited for Coach Kim Sang Sik to make calculations about his playing approach and tactical plans. The Bangladesh team emphasizes physical strength, speed, and danger with direct long balls. This style shares significant similarities with Malaysia's playing style, Vietnam's main opponent in the Asian Cup qualifiers. Therefore, the insights gained from the match helped Coach Kim Sang Sik review the smoothness of the synchronized pressing system and the ability to transition states.

Expert Doan Minh Xương observes that against a lower-ranked opponent, the comfort in play is clearly a noticeable aspect of the Vietnam national team: "On his debut day for the Vietnam national team, Do Hoang Hên demonstrated his technical qualities and tactical vision. Perhaps, the players being 'warmed up,' returning to the competitive rhythm together in the national team is what Coach Kim Sang Sik was most satisfied with through this match.

From this match, it can be seen that the Vietnam national team is gaining many options to play, from overlapping wing plays, going wide to group coordination. Alongside that, utilizing individual technique in breakthrough situations as well as maximizing effectiveness in set-piece situations. Having a good personnel pool like Doan Van Hau, Cao Pendant Quang Vinh, Nguyen Van Vy, Khuat Van Khang, Do Hoang Hên, Xuan Son, Tuan Hai, Hai Long, Quang Hai, Hoang Duc, Coach Kim Sang Sik wants the Vietnam national team to have more attacking options, combined with set-piece situations involving Duy Manh, Bui Hoang Viet Anh.

A numerous and deep defensive line allows the Korean coach many choices, and when victory is the top priority, names like Van Hau, Van Vi, Khuat Van Khang, or Cao Pendant Quang Vinh will alternately take charge of the two flanks, sometimes attacking, sometimes defending alongside center backs Duy Manh, Ngoc Bao, Xuan Manh, or Nhat Minh.

On the attacking front, the appearance of Do Hoang Hên brings many solutions. The newly naturalized player is versatile, creative, improvisational, highly connective, and in good form; understanding Vietnamese football will not be difficult to combine with Hoang Duc, Quang Hai to 'supply ammunition' for Xuan Son or Tuan Hai when this striker duo plays closest to the opponent's goal.

In summary, through this match, Coach Kim Sang Sik obtained 'gains' that can bring satisfaction. That is accumulating points in international friendly matches, which are important for accumulating advantages on the FIFA ranking table. Alongside that, the players effectively 'warmed up' for the important match with the Malaysia national team. A lucky victory creates both a morale boost and ranking momentum before entering the 2027 Asian Cup finals.