Vietnam still has problems to solve after ASEAN Cup triumph

Vietnam national team has successfully defended their ASEAN Cup 2026 title – a commendable achievement. But behind the gold medal, tactical cracks remain, especially when looking ahead to the 2027 Asian Cup against higher-caliber continental opponents. Defensive statistics sound perfect: only 3 goals conceded in 8 matches, 6 clean sheets. But numbers are just the surface layer; I dig deeper to find the underground water. In reality, the Vietnamese defense often left huge gaps, opponents missed clear chances, the woodwork became the '12th player', and goalkeeper Patrik Le Giang made outstanding saves. This is an unsustainable type of clean sheet, relying too much on luck and individual brilliance. If Patrik Le Giang suffers a dip in form or injury, who will shield those defensive holes? That question remains unanswered by the coaching staff. More worrying is the first-half syndrome. Since the 2026 ASEAN Cup, the team has maintained a habit of slow starts, lacking initiative and allowing opponents to dominate the game. Only after halftime did coach Kim Sang Sik make adjustments to improve the performance. One match does not define a talent, but it highlights the right point to excavate. This pattern has repeated across two ASEAN Cups, indicating it is a systemic limitation, not a coincidence. In the post-final press conference, coach Kim admitted: 'The defense needs better preparation. We have difficulty maintaining focus from the start.' This acknowledgment shows he understands the problem, but the solution remains ahead. Stepping into the 2027 Asian Cup, Vietnam will face South Korea, UAE, and Yemen – teams that can immediately punish any mistake. South Korea with its European-based players, UAE with financial power, and Yemen – though rated lower – still has higher quality than the ASEAN level. If Vietnam does not improve pressing and defensive organization, they risk elimination in the group stage. When the field is empty, I listen to the data. It lies more than I ever thought. The defensive numbers from the ASEAN Cup are real, but the context of weaker opponents has beautified them. At the Asian Cup, every number must be re-verified from scratch. Coach Kim needs more time and quality friendlies to test formations, improve fitness, and build a proactive game plan from the very first minutes. Relying solely on halftime adjustments is insufficient to defeat top continental teams, who can read intentions and suffocate the game from the first half. I am not looking for a gem; I sift through sand to understand the stratigraphy of youth football. The same applies to the national team: the ASEAN Cup triumph is a layer of gold sand, but beneath it are geological strata that need careful survey. Belief is only valuable when it passes the test of evidence. Conclusion: Winning the ASEAN Cup is a brilliant success, but Vietnamese football cannot rest on its laurels. The 2027 Asian Cup will be the true test of Kim Sang Sik's team capabilities. If they do not thoroughly solve the first-half issue and the reliance on luck, their journey on the continental stage will be very difficult.