As regional rivals rise, Vietnam’s football strategy sparks debate

Vietnam are not playing any matches during the June FIFA international window, and the men's national team will also skip September's gathering, as head coach Kim Sang Sik is set to lead the under-22 side at the 2026 AFC U-23 Cup qualifiers.

The decision, though planned in advance, comes just after a 0-4 defeat to Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur in the third round of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. 

That result — Vietnam's heaviest loss to Malaysia in over a decade — highlighted gaps in preparation and raised concerns about whether the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) is prioritizing youth tournament success over long-term investment in the senior team.

National team idle after key defeat

Unlike other regional sides, Vietnam are not organizing any international friendlies during the June FIFA Days. 

While Malaysia scheduled two matches against Cape Verde, and Thailand, Singapore, and Cambodia all played tune-up games, Vietnam only held an internal scrimmage between the senior and U-22 squads before traveling to Kuala Lumpur.

Coach Kim's tactical plan — starting without a recognized striker — failed to trouble Malaysia's backline, bolstered by naturalized players. 

Injuries to defenders Nguyen Thanh Chung and Bui Tien Dung further exposed Vietnam's lack of depth.

Observers argue that even one or two international matches in June could offer valuable opportunities for squad cohesion and tactical adjustments, particularly after the heavy defeat to Malaysia.

Despite these setbacks, the VFF confirmed that the national team will not regroup until October, when they play Nepal in the final 2027 Asian Cup qualifier. 

In September, Kim will shift his focus to the U-22 squad competing in Group C of the U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers, hosted in Phu Tho Province, northern Vietnam.

According to VFF, this was a strategic decision made earlier this year to align schedules and allow the coach to work consistently across teams. 

The federation also declined an invitation to send the national team to an international tournament in the Philippines in September, which includes South Africa, Indonesia, and Singapore.

Youth over senior?

The emphasis on the U-22 team is widely viewed as preparation for the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, set to take place in Thailand at the end of 2025. 

Vietnam are expected to be a contender for gold, especially as host nation Thailand is not likely to field its strongest squad, due to its domestic league schedule.

While investing in a new generation is critical, critics say this approach may be too narrowly focused on regional results. 

"Vietnam won the ASEAN Cup 2024, but many opponents did not send their best squads," said one local analyst. 

"Relying on regional titles risks falling behind continental competitors."

Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia have shifted their priorities to continental competition. 

Indonesia, for example, qualified for the 2024 Olympics in men's football, the first time an ASEAN nation has done so since 1956. 

Meanwhile, Thailand and the Philippines are actively organizing friendlies and invitational tournaments to raise their competitive level.

By contrast, Vietnam risk stagnating. 

Questions over long-term direction

Vietnam won the 2024 ASEAN Cup earlier this year, but several competing teams did not bring full-strength squads. 

At the upcoming SEA Games in Thailand, Vietnam may again benefit as the host country is expected to continue its domestic league during the event, limiting player availability.

Still, observers have questioned whether continued focus on regional titles such as the ASEAN Cup and SEA Games comes at the expense of building a team capable of competing at the Asian level.

In explaining the absence of friendly matches in June and September, a national team member, speaking on condition of anonymity, cited player fatigue due to a tight V. League 1 (Vietnam's top-tier league) schedule and the overlap with youth tournament commitments.

"V. League 1 matches were packed toward the end of the season, so players needed time to recover physically," the member said. 

"As for September, we have the U23 Asian Cup qualifiers, so coach Kim has to fully focus on the U22 team."