Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Vietnam are gearing up for the ASEAN Cup 2024 with comprehensive preparations.

After the ninth match of the V.League 1 2024-2025 concludes on November 20, the national team will head to the Republic of Korea for training on November 21 in preparation for the regional cup. Coach Kim Sang-sik is expected to call up 30 players, before narrowing the list down to 23 for the year-end tournament.

In recent weeks, Kim and his staff have closely monitored matches in the V.League 1 and V.League 2 to evaluate national players and identify potential new talents for the squad. The team will primarily consist of veteran players, with Nguyen Filip and Dang Van Lam competing for the starting goalkeeper position. Currently, the smart money is on Nguyen Filip, as Lam has been relegated to the first division.

The defence will feature key players, including captain Que Ngoc Hai and experienced central defenders Bui Hoang Viet Anh, Nguyen Thanh Binh and Nguyen Thanh Chung. On the flanks, familiar names such as Vu Van Thanh, Pham Xuan Manh and Nguyen Phong Hong Duy are likely to be included. To Van Vu, who is performing well for Nam Dinh Steel Blue, along with Jason Pendant Quang Vinh, may also have opportunities if his naturalisation process is completed in time.

In midfield, the standout players of Vietnamese football - Nguyen Hoang Duc, Do Hung Dung and Nguyen Quang Hai - are expected to be sure of their spots. Nguyen Thai Son, who was previously favoured by former coach Philippe Troussier, is consistently performing well for Dong A Thanh Hoa. Le Pham Thanh Long and Nguyen Hai Long, along with versatile player Khuat Van Khang, will add depth to coach Kim’s squad.

In attack, Nguyen Tien Linh has made a strong start to the season, scoring six goals in his first six matches. This is encouraging for Coach Kim, especially as Pham Tuan Hai is still struggling with his form following an injury, and Nguyen Van Toan is currently sidelined with an ankle issue.

Opportunities for young players?

Given the current landscape of Vietnamese football, Coach Kim is likely to prioritise a familiar lineup to ensure a solid performance in the ASEAN Cup 2024. Achieving good results in this tournament is essential for alleviating pressure before considering long-term plans.

With veteran players occupying key positions, opportunities for younger players could be limited. However, some young talents are generating considerable excitement among fans. Nguyen Thai Son, Bui Vi Hao and Nguyen Dinh Bac have made notable impressions during their appearances with the 'Golden Star Warriors'. Although they have not yet established themselves as mainstays, they possess the potential to be surprise factors for the team, especially Hao and Bac, who have shown consistent progress since joining the national squad.

Experts are also optimistic about Vo Hoang Minh Khoa, a midfielder born in 2001, who is excelling at Becamex Binh Duong and has received positive feedback from Coach Kim’s assistant, Choi Won-kwon. Khoa is a well-rounded midfielder, which the team desperately need as Hung Dung and Tuan Anh are no longer at their peak. If Khoa continues to impress, he may secure a spot on the ASEAN Cup 2024 roster.

Vietnam are placed in Group B alongside Indonesia, the Philippines, Myanmar and Laos for the upcoming tournament. The regional cup features ten teams divided into two groups, with matches played in a round-robin format, both at home and away. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals.

Vietnam will kick off their campaign with Laos on December 9, followed by matches against Indonesia on December 15, the Philippines on December 18, and Myanmar on December 21.

𒈔 Held biennially, the ASEAN Cup is the largest football event in the region. Since its inception in 1996, the competition has grown significantly, showcasing ASEAN national teams. In 2022, it reached a record of over 438 million viewers across television and digital streaming platforms. Additionally, social media channels such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and X recorded 4.2 billion views of event-related videos./.