Chonburi, 21 July 2026 – Vietnam national team held their first training session in Chonburi, Thailand, on the afternoon of July 21 as preparations intensified for their opening match against Timor Leste in the group stage of the ASEAN Cup 2026.
The session took place at a training ground belonging to the Legends Football Academy, approximately 15 minutes by bus from the team’s accommodation. The venue was personally inspected and selected in advance by team manager Doan Anh Tuan, with the quality of the playing surface meeting the coaching staff’s technical requirements.
Weather conditions in Chonburi have also been relatively favorable for the Vietnamese squad. Although temperatures remain warm, the coastal location provides slightly more comfortable conditions than Hanoi, allowing the players to maintain the required intensity during training.
With only a few days remaining before their opening fixture, the session focused heavily on reinforcing tactical plans and fine-tuning the team’s organization. Head coach Kim Sang-sik paid close attention to every detail, frequently stopping drills to make adjustments and ensure that his players correctly understood and executed the tactical instructions.
Ahead of the session, young midfielder Nguyen Ngoc My spoke to the media about Vietnam’s preparations. He said the squad is approaching the tournament in good condition following more than three weeks of intensive preparation, including training in Hanoi, a training camp in South Korea, and the recent international friendly against Myanmar.
“I think that after more than three weeks of preparation in Hanoi, the training camp in South Korea and the friendly against Myanmar, the team has almost completed the final stages of preparation for the tournament,” Ngoc My said. “We have great confidence in the coaching staff. Every player will give his best to build a united team and work towards our goal of defending the championship.”
Ngoc My also discussed the intense competition for places within the national team, describing the opportunity to train alongside more experienced players as an important part of his development.
“As a young player, I see this as an opportunity to learn and gain more experience,” he explained. “Regarding competition for positions, the coaching staff will assess what each player shows on the pitch before selecting the most suitable lineup. If I am given an opportunity, I will do everything I can to perform well.”
Vietnam will continue training in Chonburi over the coming days as Kim Sang-sik and his coaching staff complete their final preparations for the tournament.
The defending champions will officially begin their ASEAN Cup 2026 campaign against Timor Leste on July 24, with Vietnam looking for a positive start as they begin their quest to successfully defend their Southeast Asian crown.
VSN/RPT
Leave a Reply