Coach Kim Sang Sik and his long-term Asian Cup goal

The 2025/26 V-League season is over, yet Coach Kim Sang Sik's crucial tasks are only starting. Following a lengthy campaign with many ups and downs, the Korean tactician faces a major chance to revamp the squad before the 2026 ASEAN Cup and later the 2027 Asian Cup.

An advantage forCoach Kim Sang Sikis the fairly long break after the V-League ends. This is valuable time to review the squad and make suitable selections for the goal of defending Southeast Asian supremacy and elevating the team at the 2027 Asian Cup.

In the goalkeeper position, this is perhaps a rare time Vietnamese football has many quality options. Alongside familiar names like Nguyen Filip, Dang Van Lam, and Trung Kien, the recent season also saw Le Giang acquire Vietnamese citizenship.

The overseas Vietnamese goalkeeper helpedCLB Cong An Ho Chi Minh Cityfinish in the top 5. In addition, there are Cao Van Binh (SLNA), Van Viet (The Cong Viettel), and Dinh Trieu (Hai Phong). Choosing the best three will probably be the first difficult puzzle for Coach Kim Sang Sik.

The defense also offers many options worth considering. Hanoi Police continues to be a "gold mine" with experienced center-backs like Viet Anh, Dinh Trong, or versatile players such asJason Quang Vinh, Van Hau, and the youthful energy of Pham Minh Phuc.

Hanoi FC still has quality veterans like Duy Manh, Xuan Manh, while Bui Tien Dung of The Cong Viettelor Le Ngoc Bao of Ninh Binh all had stable seasons.

The midfield is where notable changes may occur. Hanoi Police FC will have to prepare for an AFC Champions League Elite play-off against Adelaide United in August, meaning the use of national team players like Quang Hai or Thanh Long needs careful consideration. In that context, names such as Hoang Duc, Hai Long, and Khuat Van Khang are likely to retain their core roles.

Coach Kim Sang Sik has every reason to give chances to faces like Minh Khoa of Becamex HCMC, Ngoc Tan of Thanh Hoa, or Tuan Anh of Nam Dinh. The duo of Van Thuan and Thanh Trung fromNinh Binhmay also be considered.

Nguyen Xuan Son remains the center of all plans. Tien Linh is experiencing a strong resurgence in the colors of HCMC Police. If he maintains his form, the HCMC Police striker could definitely return to an important role in the national team.

Tien Linh's teammate Khoa Ngo has also obtained a Vietnamese passport, and this technically skilled, cunning striker could also be considered. The case of Bao Toan (Ninh Binh) is also very noteworthy.

Two young talents like Dinh Bac and Ngoc My of Vietnam U23 are also very notable names. Dinh Bac is highly anticipated, while Ngoc My has made remarkable progress on the journey to help Thanh Hoa avoid relegation.

However, the most anticipated name isTai Loc. If called up, Tai Loc could form a formidable duo with Xuan Son and Hoang Hen to create a forward line rich in strength, technique, and unpredictability.

Coach Kim Sang Sik still has the forwards he previously selected, such as Gia Hung, Tuan Hai, and Viet Cuong, on the attacking line that need to be considered.

The 2026 ASEAN Cup may not be Coach Kim Sang Sik's final destination. The South Korean tactician understands that the biggest challenge lies ahead at the 2027 Asian Cup.