Kim Sang-sik names 27-man Vietnam squad: A quiet revolution at the back

Hanoi, March 8, 2026 — This afternoon, at the headquarters of the Vietnam Football Federation, head coach Kim Sang-sik officially announced the 27-man squad for the training camp ahead of the opening matches of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifying round against Malaysia at My Dinh Stadium on March 25 and an away trip to the UAE on March 31. This gathering comes immediately after eight rounds of the V-League, so the South Korean coach has a clear picture of every player's form. Notably, he brought back three key figures who had been sidelined through injury, alongside two completely new faces from the U23 generation. Unlike previous lists, Kim Sang-sik has shown careful calculation by calling up only the necessary number of players, not flashy but deeply considered. In goal, Nguyen Filip and Dang Van Lam continue to compete for the starting spot. Nguyen Filip holds the advantage with his playing ability, while Dang Van Lam provides solidity through his high-level experience. The third goalkeeper is Tran Trung Kien, who has performed steadily in the V-League and is considered a long-term option for Vietnamese football. The defensive line witnesses a real revolution. Doan Van Hau returns after a long injury layoff, but what surprised observers is the decision to give young centre-backs Giap Tuan Duong and Ho Tan Tai their chances. The average age of the back line has dropped markedly, aligning with the idea of high pressing and dealing with the pace of Malaysia's forwards. The planned formation is 3-4-3, which can flexibly shift to 4-3-3 out of possession. In this system, Do Duy Manh is a libero tasked with drifting into central areas or pushing high to support the midfield. Bui Hoang Viet Anh takes the role of the main centre-back thanks to his positioning and aerial judgment. Phan Tuan Tai occupies the left flank, while the right side is given to Ho Tan Tai with his youth and strong stamina. The midfield is almost the same as before. The creative trio of Nguyen Quang Hai, Nguyen Hoang Duc, and Nguyen Tuan Anh remains the team's brain. But the interesting point is how Kim uses Khue Van Khang as a silent number six, with Le Pham Thanh Long managing the rhythm from deeper areas. This variety allows Vietnam to change the tempo easily, especially when opponents sit deep. In attack, Pham Tuan Hai and Bui Vi Hao create penetrative runs through the middle. Nguyen Tien Linh remains the focal number nine, able to escape pressing and finish with his left foot inside the box. Nguyen Van Toan, even past his peak, remains essential because of his pressing intensity and clever movement. According to sources from the coaching staff, the first two days of training will mainly focus on dead-ball situations. Malaysia are not strong in controlling possession but are dangerous on crosses and headers. The South Korean coach devoted 40 percent of the session time to defending corner kicks, demanding that the centre-back pair keep proper distance and the midfield drop deeper to help. The big story of this gathering is the captaincy. Nguyen Quang Hai will retain the armband, but in reality he is no longer playing the traditional playmaker position. The coach wants Quang Hai to operate in a wider area, receiving the ball near the halfway line and organising long switches. This gives the midfield another conductor while creating space for the wing-backs to overlap. At the press conference, Kim Sang-sik made clear that the immediate target is to take maximum points from Malaysia and the UAE, but the broader ambition is to build a team that presses high from the attacking third. This is a philosophy he has pursued for two years, beginning with the successful AFF Cup campaign. Compared with rivals in the group, Vietnam have the advantage of a balanced and deep squad. Yet the big question remains their stability across the full 90 minutes. In recent friendlies, the team showed two different faces between the first and second halves, an issue linked to sustaining pressing intensity after the opening burst. The absence of Nguyen Cong Phuong also drew debate. However, the South Korean coach explained that he needs players better suited to proactive defending and high tempo. The team has shifted to a generation capable of playing multiple positions and adapting to the staff's tactical demands. The first training session takes place on the morning of March 10 under medical supervision. The dressing room welcomed back the injured mainstays with an open atmosphere. That positive mood is an important foundation before the pressure of expectation from fans. Vietnamese football is going through a delicate transition period. Kim Sang-sik choosing caution over a complete overhaul demonstrates that he is not chasing flashiness. The 27-man list is a statement of long-term strategy, where the balance between experience and youth is the key. The coming matches are the most accurate test for that quiet revolution.