Vietnam national team faces time challenge at 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup

The Vietnam national team enters the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup as defending champions, but faces an unprecedented time pressure. Coach Kim Sang Sik has only two official training sessions before the opening match against the Philippines on September 26, after the players gather on September 21 and depart for Indonesia on September 23. This tight schedule raises questions about tactical and physical readiness. The squad announcement is expected after the second round of the LPBank V-League 2026/27. Sources from VFF indicate the core remains largely unchanged from the recent title-winning squad. This suggests Coach Kim Sang Sik bets on stability and the built-in tactical memory of the group, rather than risking new faces in an official tournament. However, a clear weakness lies in midfield, where midfielder Van Vi is injured and unavailable, while Nguyen Hoang Duc's return is still uncertain. This shortage may force the team to change its approach, from possession-based to more counter-attacking. Vietnam's group includes Thailand, the Philippines, and Pakistan. The match against Thailand is seen as an 'early final' and a 'rematch' after Vietnam defeated this opponent to win the previous title. With only three days rest between the Philippines and Thailand matches, the medical and fitness staff must carefully manage the core players' condition to ensure peak fitness. The official goal is to top Group B and reach the final. A positive signal is the stable atmosphere Coach Kim Sang Sik has created in the locker room. Retaining the championship core helps maintain winning spirit and understanding between players. However, public pressure is significant: a loss to Thailand could revive doubts about the Korean coach's ability against a big rival. Moreover, the two-session camp also creates an 'excuse structure' – if results are poor, the preparation time will be cited, but this could backfire if the team fails to demonstrate champion caliber. Regarding the tournament, the name '2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup' has not been officially confirmed by major football governing bodies. If this is a new FIFA-backed tournament, it would elevate the region. But if it is merely a commercial name without AFC recognition, the information needs verification. However, technically, the knockout format (extra time and penalties if tied) is standard and indicates thorough preparation of the rules. Fans expect the Vietnamese team to overcome time difficulties and defend the crown. Personally, from closely following the team's matches, I believe physical condition will be key. If the team maintains good physical foundation in the two short training sessions, tactical execution can be ensured. Otherwise, all plans could collapse from the opening match. The match against the Philippines will be the first and most important test. "Collapse is not the endpoint. It is the test that separates professionals from pretenders." This saying applies to both Coach Kim Sang Sik's men and the organizers. Two training sessions are not an excuse, but an opportunity to prove class. Watch how they play on the pitch, not how they talk about the schedule.