Vietnam national team defends FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026: Challenges from short preparation and injuries

In just a few days, the Vietnam national team will begin its campaign to defend the title at the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026. But before kickoff, fans cannot help but worry as Coach Kim Sang Sik's squad has only two official training sessions before the opening match against the Philippines on September 26. This is a harsh reality for any team aiming for the championship. According to the schedule, the team will assemble on September 21, immediately after round 2 of the LPBank V-League 2026/27. Just two days later, the whole team will depart for Indonesia – the host of Group B. With such a tight schedule, familiarizing themselves with pitch conditions, weather, and tactical execution becomes extremely difficult. "We have to maximize the two training sessions on the field. At this point, the stability of the previous championship squad is key," a source in the coaching staff shared. Indeed, the call-up list this time mainly consists of faces that were part of the title-winning squad in the previous edition. This shows that Coach Kim Sang Sik trusts the collective tactical memory rather than risking new untested names. However, personnel issues have already emerged. Key midfielder Van Vi is officially out of the tournament due to injury. Meanwhile, the return of Nguyen Hoang Duc is still pending, depending on the final decision of the coaching staff. "Hoang Duc is an important piece. Without him, we will have to adjust our approach to matches," a team assistant revealed. The absence of Van Vi and the potential lack of Hoang Duc make the midfield the most vulnerable area. In the context of a short preparation window, building a high-pressing or fast-passing system is nearly impossible. Experts predict that Vietnam will play cautiously, focusing on counter-attacks – the style that brought success under Coach Park Hang Seo. Group B this year features three opponents: the Philippines, Thailand, and Pakistan. Among them, the match against Thailand on September 29 is considered an "early final." Thailand is not only a traditional rival but also the team that Vietnam defeated in the final not long ago to win the championship. The psychological pressure on the players is immense. "A loss to Thailand could trigger criticism that our title was just luck. Conversely, a victory would affirm our number-one status," football expert Nguyen Van An commented. The Philippines, though not a superpower, is the host of the group? Actually, Indonesia is the host of Group B, while the Philippines is just a guest? The information is unclear, but what is certain is that the Philippines has made significant progress thanks to naturalized players. Pakistan's presence in a Southeast Asian tournament is surprising. Their participation suggests that the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 might be an expanded tournament, going beyond traditional ASEAN boundaries. If so, this is an opportunity for Vietnamese football to experience new styles. Regarding organization, the tournament takes place within the FIFA Days framework, allowing clubs to release players. The competition format is familiar: group stage, then semifinals and final. If two teams are tied in the final, there will be extra time and penalties. A third-place match is also held, indicating a clear tiered structure. Returning to the Vietnam team, the official goal is to top Group B and reach the final, successfully defending the championship. But with such limited time, success or failure will depend on maximizing the only two training sessions. "Two sources? I paid the price with Iniesta." – This saying once appeared among journalists when talking about missing a transfer story due to being too rigid. But in football, sometimes intuition and experience are what matter. Coach Kim Sang Sik has plenty of experience from leagues in Korea, but adapting to Southeast Asian football is always a challenge. "Data draws the map, but players redraw the terrain with their feet," a data expert commented. Indeed, statistics on distance covered and sprint counts may show physical preparation, but on the field, emotions and instincts create the difference. "GPS doesn't lie – I just wasn't patient enough to listen." But this time, the coaching staff is listening very carefully to data from tracking devices to adjust training plans for the dense match schedule. "The dressing room whispers in sweat, liniment, and unsigned words." – The atmosphere in the team is reportedly still stable, with players maintaining unity after the championship. The biggest issue is not morale, but fitness and tactical readiness. On September 26, Vietnam faces the Philippines. If they get three points, it will be a great mental boost before the decisive match against Thailand. If not, everything becomes much harder. Fans have reasons to worry, but also reasons to hope. The Vietnam national team has overcome adversity to make history. This time, the challenge is bigger, but the champion's spirit remains. Let's wait for the opening whistle.