Following the ASEAN Cup, coach Kim Sang Sik introduced over a dozen new faces to the Vietnam national football team, bringing hope for a generational refresh.

However, expectations have yet to be met. The approach of “many call-ups, few minutes played” seems to reflect the core of his coaching philosophy so far.

In matches against both stronger and weaker opponents-such as the friendly with Nepal-the squad remains largely composed of familiar veterans. New players have either been benched or given insufficient time on the pitch to truly demonstrate their capabilities. As a result, internal competition remains limited.

It is understandable that Coach Kim prioritizes stability and experience as he implements his philosophy. Yet this calculated strategy has shown signs of failure.

Ironically, the same experienced players he relies on are beginning to show physical and tactical fatigue, particularly evident in the heavy defeat against Malaysia during the Asian Cup qualifiers.

Repeating Park Hang Seo’s old mistakes

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Not many rookies are favored by coach Kim Sang Sik.

Coach Kim Sang Sik now appears to be treading a path similar to that of his predecessor Park Hang Seo.

Coach Park led Vietnam through its most successful era, but by the end of his tenure, he became overly reliant on a fixed group of players. This stagnation allowed regional and continental rivals to catch up, as tactics grew predictable and player performances declined.

What’s more concerning is that young, emerging talent was not entrusted with meaningful playing time. As a result, the transition between generations stalled.

Now, Coach Kim faces a similar challenge. With veterans underperforming and pressure mounting, he has begun to turn to naturalized players-a move that mirrors the final decisions made under Park’s leadership.

Without bold, necessary changes, Coach Kim and the Vietnamese national team risk being limited to regional competitions, with no substantial progress on the continental stage.

Change is never easy, but without it, long-term success remains elusive.

Dai Nam