Hot midday football update on June 22: Vietnam's national team enters a new era

Coach Kim Sang-sik is driving a major shift in squad and strategy for Vietnam, meanwhile Cristiano Ronaldo continues to stir debate at the 2026 World Cup. Spain's resurgence is fueled by Oyarzabal, and the Premier League transfer scene is active with several noteworthy transactions.

The handover begins for the Vietnam national team

The most recent call-up list for Vietnam's national team ahead of the 2026 ASEAN Championship reveals Coach Kim Sang-sik is intensifying the team's rejuvenation process. The omission of seasoned stalwarts such as Nguyen Tien Linh and Pham Tuan Hai, alongside the inclusion of numerous young talents, underscores a selection policy based on current performance rather than reputation. Furthermore, the South Korean coach favors clusters of players who already have club-level synergy to rapidly establish team play.

The training stint in Incheon and the forthcoming friendly matches will provide a chance to refine the team's core structure. Looking beyond the 2026 ASEAN Championship, these moves indicate that Kim Sang-sik is laying the groundwork for a new cycle, targeting major objectives such as the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup and the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.

A new chapter for the Vietnam national team

The Vietnam national team has the chance to forge a significant turning point under the guidance of Coach Kim Sang-sik. The arrival of high-quality naturalized and overseas Vietnamese players such as Nguyen Xuan Son, Do Hoang Hen, and Nguyen Tai Loc creates the potential to shift the tactical philosophy that has accompanied the team for almost a decade.

Rather than focusing on defensive counter-attacks as in the Park Hang-seo era, the South Korean tactician is slowly constructing a more assertive style featuring ball possession and high pressing. With Quang Hai's comeback and Hoang Duc's consistent performances, the forward line is anticipated to become the team's new backbone. Consequently, the 2026 ASEAN Championship may serve as a landmark that closes the chapter of counter-attacking football and ushers in a more contemporary and daring attacking identity for Vietnamese football.

Conceicao voices his opinion

In response to the criticism directed at Cristiano Ronaldo following Portugal's draw in the 2026 World Cup, midfielder Francisco Conceicao has come forward to defend his captain. The Juventus star asserted that the players are not obliged to pass the ball to Ronaldo, but always choose the most optimal option for the team.

Nevertheless, Conceicao holds immense respect for CR7, viewing him as a paragon of professionalism and competitive drive at 41 years old. These remarks emerged amid criticism of Ronaldo's subdued performance against DR Congo, where he recorded just 25 touches during the match. The pressure is mounting on Portugal, as Roberto Martinez's squad must secure a favorable outcome against Uzbekistan to restore confidence among supporters.

Oyarzabal hits back at critics

Striker Mikel Oyarzabal delivered a stunning retort to his critics following the criticism from the World Cup 2026 opener, shining in Spain's 4-0 rout of Saudi Arabia. Within 45 minutes on the pitch, the 29-year-old netted twice and provided an assist, single-handedly reigniting La Roja's attacking flair. Remarkably, Oyarzabal became only the second player since 1966 to be involved in three goals within the first 25 minutes of a World Cup match. This display dispelled any lingering doubts after the draw with Cape Verde, while also earning strong backing from Coach Luis de la Fuente.

The win against Saudi Arabia not only earned Spain four points from two games but also provided crucial mental momentum ahead of their final group stage encounter with Uruguay.

Premier League transfer activity heats up

The Premier League transfer market is intensifying with a flurry of significant activities from top clubs. Arsenal has entered the competition to sign Crysencio Summerville, as the Dutch winger reportedly seeks an exit from West Ham. In the meantime, Tottenham Hotspur's initial bid for Cody Gakpo was turned down by Liverpool.

Conversely, Manchester United is weighing a move for Victor Osimhen to bolster their attacking options, though the asking price exceeding £100 million poses a major hurdle. Simultaneously, Newcastle United has set its sights on Liam Delap to reinforce their forward line ahead of the upcoming campaign.