Kim Sang-sik: Vietnam must stay united despite mounting challenges

Speaking ahead of Vietnam's training session on October 4, Kim provided an update on the squad's fitness and preparations for the match, saying the team face some difficulties because of injuries and a limited number of available players.

Right wingers Do Hoang Hen and Nguyen Tai Loc are both dealing with fitness problems, while central defender Bui Hoang Viet Anh has a muscle injury.

The limited number of available players could make it more difficult for the coaching staff to plan substitutions and second-half options against Malaysia, he admitted.

Viet Anh remains in contention for the match, with the coaching and medical teams due to assess his condition before making a final decision.

Kim also attributed the fitness issues affecting Hoang Hen and Tai Loc partly to their recent workload. Tai Loc had already been dealing with a minor injury before the tournament and had not played for his club, leaving him with limited time to recover fully after joining the national team.

Hoang Hen, meanwhile, has had a heavy recent playing schedule and has not been able to operate at full physical capacity during the tournament, according to the coach.

Vietnam seek a strong response after missing final

Vietnam's failure to reach the final has brought disappointment to the team, particularly after the side had repeatedly reached finals under Kim Sang-sik.

The coach acknowledged that falling short of the title had been disappointing for the players, supporters and coaching staff. However, he stressed that the setback would not reduce the team's determination to finish the tournament strongly.

Kim also expressed regret over the absence of a semi-final in the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 format, but said this would not change Vietnam's approach to the third-place play-off.

The team will continue to target a positive result against Malaysia, with the players expected to give their best despite the match not being a final.

Malaysia will also present a stronger challenge, Kim assessed, with the team having made significant changes to the squad compared with previous tournaments. He particularly highlighted their new naturalised No. 9 as a player Vietnam will need to contain.

The Vietnam–Malaysia FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 third-place play-off will kick off at 4pm on October 5 at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia.

FIFA ASEAN Cup: Vietnam eye victory over Pakistan to reach third-place play-off

VOV.VN - Vietnam need only a draw against Pakistan to secure second place in Group B of the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, but head coach Kim Sang-sik wants his side to go further and finish the group stage with a win in a decisive encounter against Pakistan in Jakarta on October 2.