The Vietnamese national team is drawing intense focus from Indonesian media ahead of the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, with regional outlets highlighting the squad’s upgraded roster under head coach Kim Sang-sik. According to reports from regional media outlets including Bola and coverage highlighted by Vietnam+ (VNA), analysts in Jakarta view the defending champions as a primary obstacle in Group A, specifically pointing to a core group of naturalized and veteran players capable of altering match outcomes.
Squad Upgrades and Naturalized Threats
According to coverage by the newspaper Bola, the reigning champions registered a 25-player list that reflects significant tactical and personnel enhancements. Indonesian media have singled out four key naturalized players within coach Kim Sang-sik’s setup: goalkeeper Le Giang Patrik, striker Nguyen Xuan Son, attacking midfielder Do Hoang Hen, and Nguyen Tai Loc. Reports emphasize that the attacking trio of Xuan Son, Hoang Hen, and Tai Loc present distinct tactical challenges for opposing defenses due to their movement and recent combination play.
This evolving approach was recently underscored during a 4-0 friendly victory against Myanmar. In that match, Xuan Son opened the scoring, while Do Hoang Hen registered his first goal for the national team. Among these figures, Brazilian-born striker Nguyen Xuan Son commands particular attention in regional previews. According to statistics highlighted by Bola, the forward has netted 11 goals in 9 appearances for the national team, building on a prolific campaign at the ASEAN Cup 2024 where he tallied 7 goals and 2 assists across 5 matches.
Balancing Experience and Depth in Group A
Beyond the newcomers, media assessments note that the squad retains established veterans such as Nguyen Quang Hai and Nguyen Hoang Duc. This blend of seasoned leadership and dynamic new additions gives the defending champions considerable depth as they prepare for the tournament schedule.
The regional tournament is set to begin for the team on July 24, when the squad faces Timor Leste in their opening fixture. Group A play will also pit Kim Sang-sik’s side against Singapore, Cambodia, and Indonesia. Regional analysts have framed the upcoming fixture between Indonesia and Vietnam as a pivotal clash likely to dictate the race for the top spot in the group standings.
Tournament Preparations and Next Steps
As preparations intensify across the region, local authorities and sports ministries are laying the groundwork to support the tournament’s demands. In Jakarta, infrastructure adjustments—including the preparation of training facilities supported by regional government coordination—are underway to accommodate participating delegations.
The official group-stage fixtures will commence on July 24, 2026, with further team announcements and final roster registrations expected from participating federations as kickoff approaches.
Worth a look
