Kim Sang-sik's New Tactics: How Is the Vietnam National Team Changing?

Amid a new cycle for Vietnamese football after the 2026 AFF Cup, head coach Kim Sang-sik has brought a tactical shift distinct from his predecessor Park Hang-seo. Gone is the traditional defensive counterattack; the national team is gradually transitioning to possession-based play and high pressing. This article delves into those changes, based on recent friendlies and 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Hook: A moment at the 67th minute In the March friendly against the Philippines, with the score tied at 1-1, right-back Van Thanh unexpectedly pushed forward, received the ball, and delivered a low cross. Striker Tien Linh didn't run into the box as usual; instead, he dropped out, creating space for Van Toan to dash in and finish. The move ended in a goal, but the key was that positionless movement – a hallmark of the new system.

Context: From Park to Kim – a systemic shift When Park Hang-seo left, many feared the team would lose its identity. But Kim Sang-sik, formerly an assistant at Jeonbuk Hyundai, quickly established a different philosophy. Instead of waiting for opponent errors, he demanded players proactively control the tempo. Data from the last four matches shows average possession rising from 42% to 56%, passes per game up 25%, and pressing actions in the final third doubling. This is a systemic change, not just a formation swap.

Core: Positionless football and 'soft discipline' The concept of 'positionless football' I once applied to basketball has now appeared with Vietnam. Players like Hoang Duc and Quang Hai are no longer locked into central midfield or winger roles. They constantly swap positions, stretching the opponent's defense. This requires soft discipline – what the Japanese mastered: understanding why to move, not just blindly obeying orders. Coach Kim applied this: his training sessions explain the context of each situation. Result: in the match against Iraq, despite a 0-1 loss, the team created four dangerous chances from small-group combinations – rare under Park.

Contrarian: Data doesn't tell the whole story If you only look at possession numbers, the team seems improved. But the conversion rate dropped from 18% to 11%. The culprit lies in finishing and composure under pressure. When opponents high-press (like Iraq did), Vietnamese defenders still make mistakes in first-touch handling. The tactical blind spot is the midfield's unfamiliarity with quick ball circulation under pressure – a consequence of too-rapid system change. Data shows a 8% increase in misplaced passes in the defensive third, revealing naivety in build-up play.

Takeaway: The puzzle ahead Coach Kim is building a team with its own identity, but he needs time. The question is: Will the VFF have the patience to let the new system mature, or demand immediate results? From an analyst's perspective, this is the right direction. Position is only the starting point; the system determines the destination. If consistency is maintained, Vietnam can compete fairly with top Asian teams within two to three years.

This article is based on live match observations and data from VangBong.vn, where I track squad depth indices and player efficiency. Vietnamese football is transforming – and I believe this change will yield worthy rewards.