Ho Chi Minh City, 13 October 2025 – Ahead of Vietnam’s fourth Group F match in the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers, head coach Kim Sang Sik emphasized the importance of both scoring goals and maintaining a clean sheet as his team prepare to face Nepal on October 14, with striker Nguyen Tien Linh expected to lead the charge.
In the pre-match press conference before the Vietnam vs Nepal encounter in the fourth round of the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers, head coach Kim Sang Sik outlined his ambition for a dominant victory to strengthen Vietnam’s chances of advancing to the next stage. “To win big tomorrow, I hope Tien Linh can score multiple goals,” he said. “In the last match, we created 24 chances but only scored three times. For tomorrow, we’ve worked on finishing — the players need to stay calm and be more clinical in front of goal.”
The Korean coach stressed that while scoring goals is vital, defensive stability remains his top priority. “Of course, scoring many goals is an important target, but keeping a clean sheet is even more crucial. That’s the biggest goal for tomorrow’s match,” Kim affirmed.
Regarding the team’s lineup, Kim revealed that centre-back Bui Tien Dung is still recovering from a back injury sustained in the first leg against Nepal and is unlikely to feature. “Bui Tien Dung is injured, so it will be difficult for him to play tomorrow. However, other players are fully capable of performing the required defensive duties according to our tactical plan,” he explained.
Coach Kim also hinted at possible changes in personnel, including opportunities for young players from the U23 squad. “We’re preparing tactical adjustments to fill the gap left by Bui Tien Dung. In the previous match, I didn’t use any U23 players for safety reasons, but for tomorrow, that might change. Some U23 players are showing good progress and have the potential to compete for starting positions,” he noted, keeping his final selection a surprise.
Joining his coach at the press conference, striker Nguyen Tien Linh expressed his determination to contribute to another win. “Every time I play for the national team, it’s an honor for me,” he said. “My goal in every match is to enjoy playing, give my best, and help the team win. As a striker, I always want to score as many goals as possible and bring victories for Vietnam.”
The Vietnam vs Nepal match will kick off at 19:30 on October 14. A convincing victory would not only solidify Vietnam’s position in Group F but also build momentum ahead of their crucial final-round clash against Malaysia in March 2026.
Thanh Trang – Hong Phuc
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