Vietnam faces new test at FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026

Vietnam faces new test at FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 When Cong An Ha Noi players stepped into the training ground, coach Kim Sang-sik could feel the concern spreading. With theoretical preparation of about two weeks, but many core players from CAHN will only have 5-6 days in camp. Players like Quang Hai, Dinh Bac, Nguyen Filip, Van Hau, Van Duc, Thanh Long and Quang Vinh will arrive late, making coordination in pressing and set-piece patterns difficult. The context shows Vietnam as a top contender for the championship, but technical issues still exist from the previous ASEAN Cup. Physical fatigue from the dense schedule of CAHN – including Champions League Elite and V-League – is a major risk. The analysis shows that execution quality may degrade, especially in pressing models and coordination. The coach may need to simplify tactics to adapt to the short time. The contrarian angle is that although this may be a disadvantage, it is also an opportunity for the team to adapt and grow. But with high expectations from fans, this could create pressure on the coach. Leading to the takeaway: this is a clear signal that national team preparation needs to be improved to avoid repeating similar issues.