Kim Sang-sik’s approach to the Vietnam national team is attracting attention for its Brazilian-style attacking ambition, but behind the excitement is a long-term development plan focused on the future of Vietnamese football. Rather than relying only on naturalized stars or short-term results, the South Korean coach is building a broader pathway for young players, with the 2030 World Cup qualifying cycle seen as a major target.
As Vietnam moves toward the final stages of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, Kim has faced questions about his reluctance to give more playing time to Under-23 players. His response has been firm: the national team is not a testing ground, but a place for the best-performing players. For young talents to earn his trust, they must first prove themselves in the demanding environment of the V-League, where only those who become regular starters and handle professional pressure are considered ready for international competition.
That philosophy is reflected in the current preliminary squad, which includes several promising youngsters such as goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien, center-backs Nguyen Nhat Minh and Dinh Quang Kiet, midfielders Khuat Van Khang and Ngo Dang Khoa, and forwards Nguyen Dinh Bac and Nguyen Ngoc My. Their presence shows that Kim’s plan is not to replace the older generation overnight, but to gradually blend youth with experience.
The coach’s goal is to create a stable core over the next three to five years, helping Vietnamese football move away from an improvised style and toward a more organized, long-term structure. This approach requires patience, as young players must compete against established veterans in every position. Tran Trung Kien, for example, faces strong competition from experienced goalkeepers such as Le Giang Patrik and Dang Van Lam. In defense, Dinh Quang Kiet must battle seasoned names like Do Duy Manh and Bui Hoang Viet Anh for a place in the lineup.
The same challenge exists in midfield and attack. Khuat Van Khang and Nguyen Ngoc My still need time to secure regular roles, while the forward line is especially crowded. Three Brazilian-origin attackers, Do Hoang Hen, Nguyen Xuan Son and Nguyen Tai Loc, have strengthened the team’s offensive options and raised the level of competition. Even so, there are signs of a bright future. Nguyen Dinh Bac has emerged as one of the most promising young scorers, sitting second in the league scoring chart with 10 goals. Ngo Dang Khoa is another encouraging prospect, earning notice for his modern, resilient style and strong physical intensity despite not being a tall player.
Kim Sang-sik’s strategy suggests that Vietnam is not chasing immediate success alone. Instead, the team is being shaped around a balance of veteran leadership and youthful ambition, with the aim of building a stronger foundation for the years ahead and eventually reaching the 2030 World Cup.
