Vietnam prepare for FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026: Time challenge and Thailand rematch pressure

With only two official training sessions before the opening match, Vietnam national team enters the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 as defending champions. Amid a compressed schedule, head coach Kim Sang Sik faces a tough challenge: how to maintain strength when preparation time is minimized. Vietnam will assemble on September 21, depart for Indonesia on September 23, and open Group B against the Philippines on September 26. Just three days later, on September 29, they face Thailand – regarded as the marquee rematch of the group stage. The final match against Pakistan is on October 2. According to the published schedule, only two official training sessions are available, a rarity at the national-team level. This forces the coaching staff to rely on squad stability and the tactical memory built in previous tournaments. The decision to retain most of the title-winning core shows Coach Kim prioritizes continuity over rebuilding. However, a significant loss is the absence of left-back Nguyen Van Vi due to injury. Meanwhile, central midfielder Nguyen Hoang Duc's return remains uncertain; Coach Kim is awaiting his recovery. If Hoang Duc is not fit, the midfield will lose a key transition player, forcing the team to play more conservatively and rely on long balls or wide counter-attacks. Tactically, with such a short preparation window, implementing a high-pressing system or high-intensity play is highly unlikely. Experts predict Vietnam will adopt a structured, low-risk approach focused on defensive stability and maximizing set pieces. This is understandable as the first opponent, the Philippines, is in a rebuilding phase – suitable for controlling the game. The match against Thailand carries heavy psychological weight. The recent victory over Thailand provides confidence, but with minimal preparation, the opponent could exploit weaknesses in fitness and cohesion. A poor result against Thailand would immediately question Coach Kim's capabilities, despite his previous championship. Pakistan remains the biggest unknown in the group. The presence of a South Asian team in a tournament named ASEAN surprises many; it could be a guest slot or an expanded competition. On paper, Pakistan is the weakest opponent, and Vietnam must secure three points. On the management side, the schedule puts significant pressure on the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF). Gathering the team immediately after Round 2 of the LPBank V-League 2026/27 shows the domestic calendar is not adjusted to prioritize the national team, which could set a precedent for criticism if results falter. However, VFF claims to have worked with clubs to release players as early as possible, but the reality remains only two days of assembly. The dressing room is considered stable. The title-winning core maintains team spirit, and the return of key players like Que Ngoc Hai and Nguyen Tien Linh will add strength. However, experts worry that delaying squad rejuvenation could have long-term consequences, as older players like Do Hung Dung (34) remain primary choices. Vietnam's goal is to top Group B and reach the final. As defending champion, that is the minimum expectation. But given the tight schedule, completing this task would be a remarkable achievement. The opening match against the Philippines will determine much of the momentum: a convincing win relieves pressure, while a loss or draw puts the team in a difficult position before Thailand. In the stands, Vietnamese fans always stand by their team. They don't need promises; they need a map to excavate memories and understand why they still stand there through all ups and downs. For the team right now, the most important thing is to maintain the trust of those who made history. When I stand in the empty stadium before the assembly day, I hear the echo of matches that have never been played. Those are the matches taking shape in the eyes of the young players, who will step onto the pitch with only two training sessions in hand and a dream in their hearts.