Vietnam National Team Enters FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026: A 'Sprint Race' with Only Two Training Sessions

With less than a week to go, the Vietnam national team will officially step into the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup as the defending champion. However, the preparation path under coach Kim Sang Sik faces unprecedented challenges: tight time, a depleted squad, and a dense schedule. Can the champions overcome the pressure to retain their crown? The answer will be shaped from the very first training sessions. According to VuaBong, the team will gather on September 21, depart for Indonesia (the assumed host nation based on context) on September 23, and have only two official training sessions before their opening match against the Philippines on September 26. This is extremely limited compared to typical international tournaments, where teams usually have at least a week of preparation. The reason lies in the schedule of the LPBank V-League 2026/27: only after the second round concludes can the coaching staff finalize the official squad. This effectively pushes the entire preparation process into a sprint race. The limited time not only affects fitness but also poses a major tactical puzzle for coach Kim. With only two on-pitch sessions, implementing a high-press system or complex group coordination is impossible. Instead, the Korean strategist must rely on the 'tactical memory' of the players – those who have already won the title together. Squad continuity is the only anchor when there is no time to test new faces. However, this also reveals a weakness: the team is missing Do Van Vi due to injury, and the coach is still awaiting Nguyen Hoang Duc's return. The absence of these two key players could directly affect the midfield, the link between defense and attack. Furthermore, physical conditioning is the primary constraint. Two sessions are not enough to bring the entire team to a state of readiness for high-intensity matches. Therefore, Vietnam is expected to play at a slower pace, prioritizing ball possession and minimizing risk against the Philippines. If they can leverage the stability of the champion core, this could be a sensible approach. But if the opponent applies early pressure, the team will reveal gaps in coordination. In terms of opponents, Vietnam is in Group B alongside Thailand, the Philippines, and Pakistan. Among them, Thailand is seen as the direct competitor for the top spot. The match against the 'War Elephants' on September 29 is expected to be an 'early final' and a turning point for the entire tournament. As the defending champion, psychological pressure weighs heavily on Vietnam, but it is also an opportunity to assert their status. Meanwhile, the Philippines and Pakistan are rated lower, but the gap in quality is not too large, especially if the opponents have had better preparation time. Notably, Pakistan's inclusion in a tournament named 'ASEAN' is a structural anomaly. This may indicate that the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup is an expanded tournament or one with guest teams. Nevertheless, Vietnam's goal remains clear: top Group B and reach the final. The coaching staff has repeatedly emphasized this ambition in press conferences. Overall, Vietnam's journey at the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup resembles a test of character more than a tactical showcase. Coach Kim has chosen the safe option of retaining the champion core, but this means delaying the process of regeneration. The absence of Do Van Vi and the uncertain status of Nguyen Hoang Duc highlight a reliance on key individuals. If these pillars are not at their best, the team will struggle. On September 26, when the ball rolls against the Philippines, everything begins. Will continuity be enough to overcome the time pressure and a Thailand team determined to seek revenge? The Vietnam national team is stepping into the true 'trial by fire' of a champion. All eyes will be on those final training sessions – where passes and tactics are sharpened in the silence before the storm. The match ends, but the story of this journey remains unfinished.