Binh Duong – Vietnam’s national football team is gearing up for a challenging friendly against Cambodia on March 19, with center-back Bui Tien Dung warning of the threat posed by their opponents’ foreign-born players. Cambodia’s impressive showing at the 2024 ASEAN Cup has put Vietnam on alert as they prepare for this warm-up match and their Asian Cup 2027 final qualifier opener against Laos on March 25. The clash offers a chance to fine-tune tactics and test new talent ahead of a critical year.
Cambodia arrives in Vietnam with a squad featuring five naturalized players: South African center-back Kan Mo, Japanese defenders Takaki Ose and Yudai Ogawa, Colombian midfielder Andres Nieto, and Ivorian striker Abdel Kader Coulibaly, alongside Cambodian-American midfielder Nick Taylor. Under coach Koji Gyotoku, they turned heads at the ASEAN Cup, defeating Timor Leste, drawing with Malaysia, and narrowly falling to Thailand (2-3) and Singapore (1-2). “Their foreign players performed brilliantly,” Bui Tien Dung said during training on March 17. “They may not outshine our naturalized players, but we respect them and won’t take them lightly.”
The Vietnamese team, training in Binh Duong since March 12, has been studying Cambodia’s overseas contingent through video analysis. “We haven’t faced their foreign players often, so we’ve spent time breaking down their style,” Bui Tien Dung noted. “Every game has its own challenges. We need to stay sharp, no matter the opponent.” The squad has been holding sessions every other day, focusing on fitness and strategy, with a mix of ASEAN Cup champions and young prospects like Tran Bao Toan, Pham Ly Duc, Vo Hoang Minh Khoa, Trieu Viet Hung, and Trinh Xuan Hoang.
Coach Kim Sang-sik may use the friendly to experiment, according to Bui Tien Dung. “The lineup is up to the staff, but I think players with less game time and newcomers could get a shot,” he said. “This match is a stepping stone to Laos, so everyone who plays needs to deliver.” The blend of experience and youth reflects Vietnam’s dual focus: immediate results and long-term growth.
Vietnam’s broader mission is to secure a third straight Asian Cup berth in 2027. In Group F of the final qualifiers, they’ll face Nepal, Malaysia, and Laos, with fixtures scheduled against Malaysia (away, June 10), Nepal (home, October 9), Nepal (away, October 14), Laos (away, November 18), and Malaysia (home, March 31, 2026). Past campaigns saw them qualify in 2019 as one of the best second-place teams (behind Jordan) and in 2023 via the World Cup 2022 third round. Now, Coach Kim’s squad aims to top their group or again rank among the elite runners-up.
The Cambodia friendly is more than a rehearsal—it’s a chance to build momentum. Cambodia’s cohesive, fiery play at the ASEAN Cup showcased their potential, and their naturalized stars add an unpredictable edge. Vietnam, fresh off their own ASEAN Cup triumph, sees this as a test of depth. “It’s a useful game to prepare for Laos and beyond,” Bui Tien Dung added. “We’re here to win, but also to grow.”
As fans await the March 19 kickoff, excitement is mounting in Binh Duong. With Cambodia’s flair and Vietnam’s determination on display, the friendly promises to be a compelling preview of what’s to come in the Asian Cup qualifiers.
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