Binh Duong – Vietnam’s head coach Kim Sang-sik labeled his team’s 5-0 thrashing of Laos in their Asian Cup 2027 final qualifying opener at Go Dau Stadium on March 25 as a “perfect” performance, yet voiced a rare regret: the inability to give more substitute players game time. The Group F encounter saw Vietnam unleash a relentless attack, with Chau Ngoc Quang, a Nguyen Van Vi brace, Nguyen Hai Long, and Nguyen Quang Hai finding the net. However, despite utilizing all five permitted substitutions, Kim felt constrained in showcasing his full squad depth, a minor blemish on an otherwise flawless night.
“I’m thrilled with this victory—it’s exactly what we aimed for,” Kim said in the post-match press conference. “The only downside is I couldn’t get more of our bench players involved.” His substitution strategy unfolded methodically: Nguyen Quang Hai replaced goalscorer Chau Ngoc Quang in the 58th minute, injecting fresh creativity; then, in the 79th minute, Dinh Thanh Binh, Pham Tuan Hai, and Khuat Van Khang took over from Nguyen Tien Linh, Nguyen Hai Long, and the dazzling Nguyen Van Vi. The final switch came in the 88th minute, with Nguyen Thanh Binh relieving Bui Tien Dung. Before kickoff, Kim had trimmed his roster, omitting goalkeeper Trinh Xuan Hoang and midfielders Tran Bao Toan and Nguyen Thai Son, while handing debuts to Vo Hoang Minh Khoa and Pham Ly Duc. Minh Khoa, a Binh Duong native, earned praise for a tireless 90-minute shift in midfield.
“Minh Khoa did his job superbly—great movement and control,” Kim noted. “I picked the right spot for him, and I’m excited to see more in the next game.” The rout eclipsed Vietnam’s 4-1 win over Laos at the 2024 ASEAN Cup, starting with Ngoc Quang’s 11th-minute opener. Van Vi, named Man of the Match, struck in the 44th and 50th minutes, showcasing his flair as a Nam Dinh left-back. Hai Long’s curling beauty in the 63rd and Quang Hai’s late volley in the 84th sealed a statement win, fulfilling Kim’s pre-game call for a first-half barrage and a hefty goal tally.
Kim lauded Van Vi’s form: “He’s peaking right now, and that’s a big factor in my lineup choices.” This nod comes as newly naturalized defender Jason Quang Vinh Pendant—now Cao Quang Vinh—joins the fold, adding competition at left-back. With Vietnam eyeing a third consecutive Asian Cup berth, Kim’s squad depth, including unused talents like Bùi Vĩ Hào, remains untapped potential. As Malaysia and Nepal loom, the coach’s minor gripe hints at a desire to test his full arsenal in this qualification journey.
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