Coach Kim Sang-sik will have choices to scout new talent for the Vietnamese team during the upcoming training session in October. — Photo baoangiang.com.vn

Football

HÀ NỘI — Coach Kim Sang-sik is eagerly anticipating the chance to scout new talent for the Vietnamese national senior team at the upcoming training session in October. Meanwhile, a thus far highly competitive V.League 1 season could help the South Korean coach build the quality of the team with a broader selection of players.

Following two friendly matches in September against Russia and Thailand, the Vietnamese team will continue preparing for the AFF Cup 2024 campaign with two additional friendlies against India and Lebanon. Both teams are at the same level as Việt Nam, providing coach Kim with a valuable chance to experiment with different playing styles and personnel.

The friendly tournament organised by the Việt Nam Football Federation (VFF) is scheduled to take place from October 9 to 15 at Thiên Trường Stadium in Nam Định Province. According to the schedule, Việt Nam will face India on October 9 and Lebanon on October 15, with the match between India and Lebanon occurring on October 12. All matches will kick off at 6pm.

In the latest FIFA rankings, Lebanon have moved up two places to 114th in the world, surpassing Việt Nam by two spots. Conversely, India have dropped two places to 126th due to a lackluster performance in the September friendlies. Previously, Việt Nam and Lebanon have faced each other twice before during the 2011 Asian Cup qualifiers, with Việt Nam winning 3-1 in the first match at Mỹ Đình National Stadium and drawing 1-1 in the second. Việt Nam have met India only in international friendlies, losing 1-3 in 2010 but winning 3-0 in 2022.

The Vietnamese team are expected to regroup on October 5 to prepare for the FIFA Days in October. During this session, coach Kim may call up some new players, alongside U23 talents like Đình Bắc and Khuất Văn Khang. Compared to the previous friendlies in September, the team are anticipated to feature a more complete roster this time. The ongoing V.League 1 will see several matches, allowing players to 'warm up' and work on their form, while providing coach Kim with more time to identify suitable candidates for the national squad.

Exciting developments in V.League 1

The last two rounds of this year’s football season have been thrilling, with several lesser-rated teams delivering surprising performances. Notably, Hoàng Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) led the rankings with two consecutive wins, scoring six goals without conceding any.

Other teams have also demonstrated impressive results. Hồng Lĩnh Hà Tĩnh secured two wins, netting four goals and allowing only one. Meanwhile, HCM City, initially considered an underdog, have had a strong start with one win and one draw, sharing points with Thể Công Viettel in their first match and then defeating Bình Định.

The enhanced competitiveness of V.League 1 is providing coach Kim with a broader selection of players for the national team. Fans and experts are hopeful that the South Korean coach will consider a wider array of talent from the league, moving beyond a reliance on veterans who may not be as impactful in regional tournaments. VNS