Vietnam National Team at the 2026 Asean Cup: The defense is the driving force

The training trip in South Korea is not only a period for tactical refinement but also a final examination for the Vietnam national team's defense. As Coach Kim Sang Sik must eliminate 4 of the 27 players, the competition in the defensive line is expected to be particularly fierce, which could provide a major impetus for the Vietnam team to achieve something significant.

In the list of 27 players traveling to South Korea for training, the defense comprises 14 names, the most of any line. This shows that coach Kim Sang Sik particularly values the defensive foundation, while also wanting to build a defensive system that not only knows how to defend but also has the ability to participate in organizing attacks.

The three goalkeepers Le Giang, Van Lam, and Trung Kien are almost certain to keep their spots for the 2026 ASEAN Cup. Therefore, the focus is on the remaining 11 defenders. This is a blend of experience and youth, between veterans who have fought for many years like Duy Manh, Thanh Chung, Bui Hoang Viet Anh, Xuan Manh, Truong Tien Anh, Doan Van Hau, Nguyen Van Vi and the promising next generation including Ngoc Bao, Nhat Minh, Dinh Quang Kiet and Phan Tuan Tai.

Not all the experienced names are holding a guaranteed starting spot. Duy Manh is still in the process of regaining his form after injury and will have to prove he deserves to be the leader of the defense. Meanwhile, Thanh Chung has also just gone through a season that wasn't truly convincing at Hanoi FC. If the veteran center-back duo are not at their best, coach Kim Sang Sik has a solid basis to give opportunities to new faces.

That is the major difference for the Vietnam national team at this time. The South Korean coach no longer depends on a few individuals but possesses many quality replacement options. Nhat Minh, Ngoc Bao, or 19-year-old center-back Dinh Quang Kiet are all creating positive competition.

The most notable point in how coach Kim Sang Sik builds his defense is versatility. Xuan Manh can play right-back but is also very effective when playing as a right-sided center-back thanks to his tackling and aerial ability.

Van Hau is originally a left-back but can fully take on the role of a left-sided center-back, especially now that the left flank has additional quality options. Viet Anh not only plays well at center-back but can also push up to play as a defensive midfielder when needed.

This versatility opens up many tactical options. In the context that Vietnam is considered stronger than most opponents at the 2026 ASEAN Cup, coach Kim Sang Sik will likely build a proactive attacking style. In that case, the defenders will not simply perform defensive duties but must also participate in ball circulation, support attack build-up, and create dominance from the backline.

On the left flank, Van Vi and Tuan Tai each possess their own strengths. Van Vi did not have an explosive season at Nam Dinh but is very lucky in scoring whenever he wears the national team shirt under coach Kim Sang Sik. In contrast, Tuan Tai is maintaining consistent form in the colors of The Cong Viettel with highly accurate crosses. One is experienced and versatile, the other is young, energetic, and possesses good crossing quality; that will be a puzzle for Mr. Kim.

On the right flank, Tien Anh remains the national team's top crossing specialist. Many of the Vietnam national team's goals recently have come from this player's forward runs. Meanwhile, Xuan Manh is likely to continue being used in the right-sided center-back role to utilize his aerial ability and support for scoring from set pieces.

In fact, wing play and set pieces are becoming powerful weapons for the Vietnam national team under coach Kim Sang Sik. Therefore, defenders who can create assists, make long passes over the line, or participate in scoring will be prioritized. The image of a center-back initiating attacks with long passes like Que Ngoc Hai in the past can be completely recreated with new faces.

When defenders are both solid in defense and capable of supporting attacks and making a difference in set pieces, coach Kim Sang Sik will have more options to build a balanced, modern team capable of defending the regional championship.