Coach Kim Sang Sik’s strategic vision

To prepare for the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers and the 33rd SEA Games, Vietnam’s U23 team is using the Southeast Asian U23 Championship as a crucial launchpad.

The "Golden Star Warriors" are entering the tournament as defending champions after their triumphant victory in 2023. Two years on, the team has undergone coaching and generational changes.

For this year’s tournament, national team head coach Kim Sang Sik will take direct command of the U23 squad - a decision he personally proposed to the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF).

Coach Kim aims to spend more time working with younger players. He is not only determined to retain the regional title but also views this campaign as a stepping stone toward broader goals, including revamping the senior national team.

Since his appointment by the VFF in April 2024, Kim has not directly led the U23s. That role had primarily been held by his assistant Dinh Hong Vinh. Ahead of the team’s departure for Indonesia, Kim spent nearly a month training with the U23 squad.

Aside from a few familiar names who have appeared in the senior national team - Nguyen Van Khang, Nguyen Van Truong, Nguyen Dinh Bac, Tran Trung Kien, and Nguyen Thai Son - most of the current U23 players are relatively new to Kim’s coaching philosophy.

Tournaments like the Southeast Asian U23 Championship, the AFC U23 qualifiers, and the 33rd SEA Games are integral to Kim’s long-term strategy. These competitions provide an opportunity to test personnel, scout emerging talent, and gradually rebuild the national team - especially vital now that several veterans are no longer in top form.

This U23 generation is also expected to form the foundation of Vietnam’s senior squad for future tournaments such as the 2026 ASEAN Cup and the 2030 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Early mentorship under Coach Kim is hoped to accelerate their development and readiness for greater responsibilities ahead.

A golden generation with potential

The current squad is widely seen as the legacy of former head coach Philippe Troussier. During his tenure, especially between early 2023 and 2024, many young talents were given opportunities to compete at senior level.

Names like Nguyen Thai Son, Khuat Van Khang, Nguyen Van Truong, Nguyen Dinh Bac, and Nguyen Thanh Nhan have already played alongside senior teammates and gained invaluable experience in major tournaments like the second round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and the 2023 AFC Asian Cup finals. These players now form the backbone of Vietnam’s U23 squad as they aim for another youth-level title in 2025.

Additional standouts such as Viktor Le, Pham Ly Duc, Nguyen Nhat Minh, Nguyen Thanh Nhan, and Nguyen Ngoc My are all in top form in the 2024–25 V-League and First Division seasons. With strong depth across positions, Coach Kim has every reason to believe his team can win the U23 Southeast Asian title for the third time.

In the group stage, Vietnam has drawn a favorable bracket, facing only Laos and Cambodia - teams not known for their strength. Thus, a spot in the semifinals appears well within reach.

Nonetheless, caution is essential. A potential semifinal clash against hosts Indonesia is on the horizon. All knockout matches will be held at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, a venue that energizes the home team with tens of thousands of passionate fans. Should Vietnam meet Indonesia in the semifinals, it will be a significant test for Van Khang and his teammates.

Overall, U23 Indonesia appears to be the main obstacle standing in the way of Vietnam’s title defense. The other leading contenders, Malaysia and Thailand, are each grappling with internal turmoil. Under coach Nafuzi Zain, Malaysia may be forced to compete without several key players as clubs in the Malaysia Super League prioritize preseason preparation and refuse to release their athletes.

Meanwhile, Thailand’s U23 squad is undergoing a turbulent transition. Coach Takayuki Nishigaya was dismissed following five straight losses, and his replacement, Thawatchai Damrong Ongtrakul, has had less than a week to prepare for the tournament. Against that backdrop, Vietnam enters the championship with both confidence and realistic expectations.

Should Vietnam claim the title, it would not only serve as perfect preparation for the 2026 AFC qualifiers and the 33rd SEA Games but also validate the emergence of a promising new generation - one shaped under Troussier and now being molded by Kim for future greatness.

Dai Nam