Coach Kim Sang-sik surprised everyone by eliminating a series of key players from the Vietnamese team before the 2024 AFF Cup (ASEAN Cup).
On the afternoon of November 18, coach Kim Sang-sik announced the list of the Vietnamese team preparing for the AFF Cup 2024. The Korean coach caused a shock when he eliminated 3 players: Do Hung Dung, Que Ngoc Hai and Nguyen Cong Phuong. Hung Dung and Ngoc Hai are currently the captain and vice-captain of the Vietnamese team.
However, the recent decline in form is the reason why Que Ngoc Hai and Do Hung Dung were removed from the list. Meanwhile, Nguyen Cong Phuong, despite scoring 4 goals, failed to convince coach Kim Sang-sik. The actual performance of the striker born in 1995 did not meet professional requirements, making it difficult for him to meet the challenges in the regional arena.
According to the plan, the Vietnamese team will gather again on November 21 in Hanoi, then move to Korea for training from November 23 to December 3. Not gathering during the FIFA Days in November is a plan that was agreed upon by the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) and head coach Kim Sang-sik very early. This is to help the domestic tournament schedule run smoothly and the team also has more time to prepare for the most important tournament of the year.
After returning from the training trip to Korea, the team will be reinforced by players from Nam Dinh Club. At this time, Thanh Nam team has just finished the last match in the group stage of AFC Champions League 2024/25.
Before the away match against Laos on December 9, coach Kim Sang-sik will finalize the official list of 26 players.
List of Vietnam team
Goalkeepers: Nguyen Filip, Dang Van Lam, Nguyen Dinh Trieu, Tran Trung Kien
Defenders: Vu Van Thanh, Bui Hoang Viet Anh, Nguyen Thanh Binh, Truong Tien Anh, Bui Tien Dung, Nguyen Thanh Chung, Pham Xuan Manh, Do Duy Manh, Ho Tan Tai
Midfielders: Nguyen Quang Hai, Le Pham Thanh Long, Phan Van Duc, Khuat Van Khang, Nguyen Hai Long, Nguyen Van Truong, Chau Ngoc Quang, Tran Bao Toan, Nguyen Thai Son, Doan Ngoc Tan, Nguyen Hoang Duc
Forwards: Nguyen Dinh Bac, Pham Tuan Hai, Nguyen Tien Linh, Bui Vi Hao, Dinh Thanh Binh, Nguyen Quoc Viet.
VN (synthesis)