* Vietnam – Bangladesh: 19h Thursday, 26/3, on VnExpress.

Coach Kim Sang-sik's professional philosophy emphasizes that "a commander's success or failure largely depends on their troops." This refers to the team's ability to execute proposed tactics, adapt to unexpected situations, and the overall skill level of the available players.

Yesterday, at the pre-match press conference for the friendly against Bangladesh, he made a rare statement, acknowledging that "the national team is getting stronger." This confidence stems from securing a spot in the Asian Cup 2027 finals after Malaysia was penalized with 0-3 losses in two matches against Vietnam and Nepal. The team's strength is further bolstered by the addition of key players.

Center-back Tran Dinh Trong (third from right) speaks with coach Kim Sang-sik (right) during a Vietnam national team training session at the Vietnam Youth Football Training Center (VYS) in Hanoi on the afternoon of 24/3/2026. Photo: Hieu Luong

After a long absence due to injuries, two defensive talents, Tran Dinh Trong and Doan Van Hau, are working with coach Kim for the first time. Their capabilities were proven between 2017 and 2022 under another South Korean coach, Park Hang-seo. Coach Kim stated that after close monitoring, the duo "are qualified to play for the national team" once they achieve stable fitness and form.

Brazilian-born naturalized midfielder Do Hoang Hen is also drawing significant attention and high expectations for his debut today. Hen, whose Brazilian name is Hendrio Araujo da Silva, has demonstrated his abilities at Binh Dinh, Nam Dinh, and Hanoi FC. He has been one of the top attacking players in the V-League over the past 4 years.

Hen has adapted quickly to Vietnamese culture. His Vietnamese language skills have improved significantly after more than a year of focused study, making him arguably the best among recently naturalized Vietnamese players. Hen's discipline in training and daily life has also impressed many teammates.

With his integration progressing well, the coaching staff and fans anticipate that Hoang Hen and Xuan Son will form a powerful attacking duo for the national team, delivering peak performances reminiscent of their contributions to Nam Dinh's V-League 2023-2024 championship. In that season, Son scored 31 goals and provided 6 assists, while Hen recorded 10 goals and 9 assists.

Do Hoang Hen (number 9) and Nguyen Xuan Son (12) arrive at the training ground at the Vietnam Youth Football Training Center in Hanoi on 24/3/2026. Photo: Hieu Luong

Both Son and Hen are pleased to be reunited on the field. While not close friends off the pitch, they are an intuitive partnership when playing. "It feels like they know each other's positions without even looking," said Vu Hong Viet, coach of Nam Dinh Club.

Coach Kim Sang-sik commented: "Hen provides us with more options to create goal-scoring opportunities. We also have many ideas for combining Son and Hen, such as playing with two strikers or one as a target man."

With quality players and a relaxed mindset, coach Mano Polking believes the players should enjoy their time with the national team. "Now is the time for coach Kim Sang-sik to use these types of matches to introduce new players, and most importantly, to familiarize them with the playing style," stated the head coach of Hanoi Police Club.

The Bangladesh national team is a suitable opponent for Vietnam's current situation, serving as a warm-up before facing Malaysia.

Bangladesh is ranked 181st by FIFA, 78 places below Vietnam, and will play their March matches with a relaxed attitude, having been eliminated from contention for the Asian Cup 2027. They were once a strong team in Asia in the 1990s. However, FIFA sanctions and the impact of political influence and corruption within their federation led to the decline of their football.

Midfielder Hamza Choudhury (left) at a Bangladesh national team training session at Hang Day Stadium in Hanoi on 25/3/2026. Photo: Hieu Luong

In 2022, Bangladesh began to make progress when coach Javier Cabrera took charge of the national team. This South Asian nation also started to utilize more mixed-heritage players. One of their most successful negotiations was convincing Hamza Choudhury to play for the national team in 2025. The midfielder, born in 1997, has an English father and a Bangladeshi mother. He developed in the Leicester City academy and has played regularly in the Premier League and the English Championship since 2015.

In addition to Choudhury, 4 other foreign-born players include: Tariq Kazi (Finland), Jamal Bhuyan (Denmark), Zayyan Ahmed (USA), and Shamit Shome (Canada). Meanwhile, Ahmed currently plays for Rimal Al-Shara, a club in the UAE's third tier, and striker Fahamedhul Islam plays in Serie D for Olbia Calcio.

Hieu Luong