Before the training session on the evening of October 4th in Jakarta, coach Kim Sang-sik updated the Vietnamese national team on their fitness level following their 4-2 victory over Pakistan. According to the South Korean coach, the team is facing some fitness issues heading into the final match.
“After the match against Pakistan, our squad lost several players like Hoang Hen and Tai Loc, and Viet Anh is suffering from some muscle injuries. During the preparation for the match against Malaysia , with a limited number of players, planning for a second-half comeback will be somewhat difficult,” said coach Kim Sang-sik.
Among the players experiencing problems, Bui Hoang Viet Anh still has a chance of playing. The coaching staff will coordinate with the medical team to conduct a thorough assessment before deciding whether to use the central defender.
"Regarding Viet Anh, he also has a slight muscle injury, but there's still a high chance he'll be able to play in tomorrow's match. We, along with the medical team, will check Viet Anh's health and then come up with plans for the game," said coach Kim Sang-sik.
Coach Kim Sang-sik also explained the reasons why Hoang Hen and Tai Loc haven't been able to perform at their best in the tournament.
As for Tài Lộc, the midfielder suffered a minor injury before the start of the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 and was unable to play for his club. After joining the Vietnamese national team, the short preparation time meant that the player had not yet reached his best physical condition.
Meanwhile, Hoang Hen has had to endure a rather intense schedule of matches recently. This has directly affected his physical condition and performance for the national team.
The Vietnamese national team had consistently reached the finals under coach Kim Sang-sik. Therefore, the inability to compete for the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 title is clearly disappointing for the entire team.
Coach Kim Sang-sik admitted feeling disappointed, but affirmed that the Vietnamese team must still fight their hardest in the third-place match.
"For me, as well as for the players, the fans, and you all, the fact that we haven't reached the final is quite disappointing," he said.
"In every match, the players give their all for victory, so tomorrow, even though it's the third-place match, we will do our best to achieve the best possible result," emphasized coach Kim Sang-sik.
The FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 third-place match between Vietnam and Malaysia will take place at 4:00 PM on October 5th at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Source: https://anninhthudo.vn/hlv-kim-sang-sik-ly-giai-viec-hoang-hen-tai-loc-choi-khong-tot-o-fifa-asean-cup-post670873.antd
