Vietnam face new test at FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026: Kim's time puzzle

On the night of September 26, at a stadium in Indonesia, the Vietnam national team steps into their opening Group B match of the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 against the Philippines. But the story does not begin with the opening whistle. It begins with the short preparation days, when key players from Cong An Ha Noi (CAHN) have just arrived at the national team camp, carrying the fatigue of a congested schedule. Head coach Kim Sang-sik is facing his toughest puzzle since taking charge of Vietnamese football: how to build a cohesive unit when time is not on his side. Unlike previous SEA Games or AFF Cup cycles, when he had around two weeks to refine the squad, this time, that is only theoretical. In reality, seven CAHN players – Quang Hai, Dinh Bac, Nguyen Filip, Van Hau, Van Do, Thanh Long, and Quang Vinh – can only join the camp after September 20, when their club completes a rescheduled V-League round 3 match against Dong Nai. Before that, they must also play in the AFC Champions League Elite against Osaka on September 15. Thus, before departing for Indonesia, the most important core of the team has only about five or six days of training together. Meanwhile, regional opponents are expected to field their strongest squads with fuller preparation. This disparity in preparation time is not just a logistical issue. It directly impacts tactics. Coach Kim, who favors a possession-based style with a 3-4-3 or 4-3-3 formation, needs his players to understand each other in every pressing trigger and set-piece situation. But with limited time, coordination drills and movement signals cannot be executed smoothly. I remember the 2026 SEA Games, when I misspelled Huynh Nhu's name in the first half and had to correct it after she scored. Mistakes in information can be fixed on air, but a lack of cohesion on the pitch is not easily remedied in just a few training sessions. Physical conditioning is also a major unknown. CAHN players arrive from a dense fixture list: Champions League Elite, V-League, then national team duty. While other players who have been in camp longer may have better fitness foundations, the CAHN group faces the risk of injury and accumulated fatigue. This disparity in physical readiness makes it difficult for Coach Kim to implement a high-pressing system that requires the whole team to maintain high intensity throughout the match. This is a significant tactical challenge, as without synchronized pressing, the defense will be stretched and create spaces for opponents to exploit. However, there is another perspective. In football, a lack of preparation time can sometimes be an opportunity for a coach to simplify tactics. Instead of trying to impose a complex style, Kim might choose a more pragmatic approach: prioritize defensive solidity, use long balls over the top to exploit the pace of wingers, and rely on moments of brilliance from stars like Quang Hai. This is not what he would prefer, but it might be the optimal solution under current circumstances. Would a Vietnam team playing defensive counter-attack still be themselves? This question will be answered on the pitch in Indonesia. It is worth remembering that Vietnam still has several technical issues to improve following the ASEAN Cup 2026. With shortened preparation time, these issues are unlikely to be fully addressed. This creates a double risk: pre-existing deficiencies plus a lack of cohesion. If not careful, the team could start the tournament slowly, and pressure from media and fans will weigh heavily on the players. But I believe that in the longest nights, one learns to hear the breath of empty stands. For CAHN players, they are used to playing at a high frequency. They know how to manage their energy. They understand the value of every minute on the pitch. And Coach Kim, who has faced pressure at both club and national levels, understands that flexibility is key. Instead of forcing the team into a rigid mold, he might empower his key players to adjust on the field. The time puzzle is not unique to Vietnam. Other regional teams also face congested schedules. But the difference lies in squad depth and the coaching staff's adaptability. The FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, with FIFA's involvement, could be a turning point for regional football. And how Vietnam overcomes this challenge will be a measure of Kim Sang-sik's coaching ability. There are stories that do not begin with goals, but from the bench where people first listen. For me, the story of this national team begins with the lack of time, with hurried training sessions, and with the question of whether perfect preparation is a prerequisite for success. I once wrote something right in my own way, then learned it wrong in the world's way. Perhaps Coach Kim is also learning to adapt to a world where time is no longer a companion. In the longest night, I learned to hear the breath of empty stands. And in Indonesia, amid the pressure of the opening match, perhaps we will see a different version of the Vietnam national team – not perfect, but resilient. Doubt was once a companion. Now it is a shadow I learn to draw. Can Vietnamese football turn scarcity into strength? The answer will come at 7:30 PM on September 26.