*Scorers: Viet Cuong 2’, Hai Long 31’, 38’, Hoang Hen 48’, 52’, Dinh Bac 83’.

Coach Kim Sang-sik chose Siheung FC, a team competing in K-League 3, to kick off the training camp in South Korea. This match was the first in a series of friendlies designed to gradually acclimate players to different levels of competition. The South Korean strategist opted for two distinct lineups in each half, using the friendly as an opportunity to experiment and refine the squad. Vietnamese fans in Incheon gathered outside the stadium, waving national flags and cheering for the players.

Do Hoang Hen (number 10) dribbles past a Siheung FC defender during the friendly match in Incheon, South Korea, on the afternoon of 5/7. Photo: VFF

Despite the absence of three naturalized players – Nguyen Xuan Son, Do Hoang Hen, and Nguyen Tai Loc – in the first lineup, Vietnam started strongly amidst heavy rain. In the 2nd minute, striker Nguyen Tran Viet Cuong opened the scoring with a right-footed curler into the top corner of the net. Viet Cuong, a striker for Becamex Ho Chi Minh City, a club from Binh Duong, earned his spot on the national team as Nguyen Tien Linh’s form declined.

Against a weaker opponent, Vietnam consistently launched coherent attacks, showcasing seamless coordination between lines. In the 31st minute, Hai Long doubled the lead with a skillful finish. Eight minutes later, he completed his brace with a close-range shot from a Viet Cuong assist.

In the second half, Vietnam introduced a new lineup featuring naturalized goalkeeper Patrik Le Giang and the three Brazilian-born naturalized players: Son, Loc, and Hen. With Nguyen Dinh Bac also in the attack, this combination quickly proved effective as Vietnam continued to dominate. In the 48th minute, Hoang Hen easily scored inside the penalty area, extending the lead to 4-0. Just four minutes later, Xuan Son made a surging run and provided a perfect assist for Hoang Hen to score, putting Vietnam up 5-0.

With a significant lead, coach Kim Sang-sik’s squad maintained pressure. Opportunities arose for Dinh Bac, Truong Tien Anh, and Nguyen Van Vi. In the 83rd minute, Dinh Bac broke away from opposing defenders and scored the final goal, securing a 6-0 victory.

Striker Nguyen Dinh Bac finishes to score Vietnam's sixth goal against Siheung FC in the friendly match in Incheon, South Korea, on the afternoon of 5/7. Photo: VFF

Following this match, Vietnam will play two more friendlies against Yongin FC (K-League 2) and Gangwon FC (K-League 1).

The national team will return home on 14/7 and play a friendly match against Myanmar four days later in Thai Nguyen. After this game, coach Kim will finalize the squad for the ASEAN Cup 2026.

The ASEAN Cup 2026 will take place from 24/7 to 8/8. Vietnam is in Group A alongside Indonesia, Cambodia, Singapore, and Timor Leste. Coach Kim’s squad will play their opening match to defend their championship against Timor Leste on 24/7, at an away venue in Malaysia.

Duc Dong