More than two years into his tenure, Kim Sang Sik remains Vietnam’s head coach, yet he has not yet built the squad depth and consistency required for higher‑level competition. This situation makes the upcoming Asian Cup a decisive moment for the nation’s football future.

Kim Sang Sik has been Vietnam’s head coach for more than two years but has not yet built squad depth and consistency, leaving the team without a settled core. The lack of reliable alternatives forces the side to rely on ad‑hoc changes whenever injuries occur.

Vietnam’s recent record illustrates the problem: the team won the ASEAN Cup but finished fourth at the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, highlighting inconsistent performances across tournaments. Such swings raise doubts about the ability to maintain a steady level of play.

When key players are unavailable, replacements fail to maintain the team’s structure, causing loss of cohesion on the pitch. The 2027 AFC Asian Cup will pit Vietnam against stronger opponents such as South Korea, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen, exposing any squad weaknesses.

The November friendlies against Chinese Taipei and Kyrgyzstan will test whether Vietnam can preserve its structure when personnel change. Kim Sang Sik warned that the coach must stop endless experimentation and define a reliable core with clear responsibilities before the tournament.