Is the door to the Vietnam national team slowly closing for the generation of Cong Phuong and Xuan Truong?

The youth push under Coach Kim Sang Sik persists, with experienced players from the Cong Phuong and Xuan Truong era missing from the recent squad gathering.

The latest Vietnam national team roster for the 2026 AFF Cup clearly reflects Coach Kim Sang Sik's personnel direction. Faces that once formed a golden generation of Vietnamese football, such as Cong Phuong, Xuan Truong, Minh Vuong, and other seasoned veterans, continue to be absent. Instead, the South Korean tactician is placing his faith in a group of young players who are in peak form and show strong potential for growth.

The absence of players from the first HAGL batch is not particularly surprising. Since taking charge of the Vietnam national team, Coach Kim Sang Sik has rarely used the core that was a source of national pride for nearly a decade. Cong Phuong was called up only once but left early due to injury, while Xuan Truong and Minh Vuong have yet to return to the coaching staff's plans.

Beyond professional considerations, the playing environment also greatly affects these stars' chances. Many of them have moved down to the First Division, putting them at a disadvantage when competing with peers who regularly play in the V.League. Although they maintain consistent form and contribute significantly to their clubs, the gap in league quality makes a return to the national team more difficult.

Not only the Cong Phuong generation, but also many key contributors to the 2024 AFF Cup victory are absent from this training camp. Names like Tien Linh, Ho Tan Tai, Doan Ngoc Tan, and Dinh Trieu are missing for various reasons, from declining form to the need for rejuvenation. This shows that Coach Kim Sang Sik is determined to create a fresh image for the national team.

On the other hand, many young players have been given the opportunity to prove themselves. Names such as Patrik Le Giang, Tai Loc, Dang Khoa, Dinh Bac, Van Khang, Hai Long and Trung Kien are becoming notable figures during this transitional period. In particular, young center-back Dinh Quang Kiet is regarded as one of the promising faces for the future of Vietnamese football at major events like the SEA Games, ASIAD, or AFC U23 Championship.

Football always operates on the principles of competition and elimination. The absence of icons like Cong Phuong or Xuan Truong may sadden many fans, but it also opens the door for the next generation to assert themselves. For Coach Kim Sang Sik, the generational shift has begun strongly, and the Vietnam national team is heading toward a new cycle of development with younger, more ambitious faces.