Vietnam faces new test at FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026

The Vietnam national team is preparing for the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 with high hopes of defending the regional title, but facing major challenges from integration issues. Before departure to Indonesia for the group stage, the team has only about two weeks to prepare. However, many key players from Cong An Ha Noi will only have 5-6 days with the national team. This is the biggest issue the coach Kim Sang-sik is facing. The congested schedule of Cong An Ha Noi has created a large gap in preparation. At training, young players are asked to maintain high intensity, but their spirits seem not fully connected. Coach Kim has made tactical adjustments to fit the limited time. Instead of complex pressing systems as before, he may shift to a more direct approach, focusing on quick transitions. This shows the necessary flexibility of the team when facing time constraints. Today's training session was special. Young players moved intelligently without the ball, creating space for midfielders. But their passing technique still has issues. Coach Kim emphasized that unity is the decisive factor. He said, 'We must learn to play together in the shortest time.' CAHN players, though tired after Champions League and V-League matches, still try to participate. This shows high fighting spirit, but also potential injury risks. Regarding fitness, young players from other clubs have stayed longer in camp, while CAHN has a dense schedule. This disparity makes Coach Kim difficult to implement comprehensively. Analysts suggest this is a blind spot in the match sequence. The Vietnam team maintains squad depth, but dependency on the CAHN players group can lead to disadvantage against stronger opponents. Before the opening match against the Philippines on September 26, the Vietnam team is facing major challenges. Coach Kim has reduced the complexity of tactics to fit the time. Domestic friendlies help with familiarity, but not enough for full synchronization. Young players need encouragement, as they are the future of Vietnamese football. Old technical issues still remain. The team needs improvement to avoid repeating mistakes. Nevertheless, the team's morale is still high. Fans are closely following, hoping for good results. This short preparation is a lesson for future cycles.