Five key players are absent from the Vietnam national team's training session today: goalkeeper Dang Van Lam, defender Doan Van Hau, and three Brazilian-born naturalized players – Do Hoang Hen, Nguyen Xuan Son, and Nguyen Tai Loc. According to a VnExpress source, these five players are not in optimal physical condition and are training separately at the hotel.

Coach Kim Sang-sik prioritizes player fitness, especially as the team progresses in an official tournament. This decision comes as Cambodia, already eliminated from the ASEAN Cup 2026 group stage, has little motivation left. Conversely, Vietnam controls its own destiny and has a strong chance to advance, currently leading group A.

Following their victory over Indonesia, the morale among Vietnamese players is high. The team only needs to avoid a loss against Cambodia to secure advancement. A win would almost guarantee them first place in the group, given their superior goal difference over Singapore. Historically, Vietnam has an undefeated record against Cambodia, winning all 11 encounters since 1995, including a dominant 9-1 victory in the AFF Cup 2004 group stage.

During the ASEAN Cup 2026, Xuan Son, Hoang Hen, and Van Hau started the first two matches. They later came on as substitutes in the 3-0 victory against Indonesia on 3/8, with Son and Hen each scoring two goals. Tai Loc was a substitute in the 0-0 draw against Singapore before starting in the win against Indonesia. Goalkeeper Dang Van Lam has yet to feature, as the coaching staff has opted for Le Giang Patrik.

Besides Van Lam, other players who have not yet played in the ASEAN Cup include goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien, defenders Dinh Quang Kiet and Khong Minh Gia Bao, and midfielders Nguyen Ngoc My and Le Van Do.

Before the tournament, each team could register a maximum of 26 players, but Vietnam finalized its squad with 25. The matchday squad is then reduced to 23 players before each game.

Goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien might be used in the match against Cambodia. Despite being a key player for the U23 national team, Kien faces tough competition from senior goalkeepers like Le Giang Patrik, Van Lam, and Nguyen Filip. He has yet to make a starting appearance for the senior national team.

For the central midfield position, Coach Kim Sang-sik stated he would rotate Nguyen Quang Hai (left), Le Pham Thanh Long (right), and Nguyen Hoang Duc depending on the match.

Center-back Bui Hoang Viet Anh (center) sustained a laceration near his left eyebrow during the match against Indonesia but played 80 minutes before needing stitches at the hospital. He is able to train normally and is ready for the match against Cambodia.