Coach Kim Sang Sik Takes a Firm Stand Against Tiến Linh

Kim Sang Sik's decision to exclude Nguyễn Tiến Linh from the Vietnam national team's roster for the March 2026 FIFA Days carries strong messages. It is not merely a professional choice but also a sign that the Korean strategist is restructuring the attack.

Over the past several years,Tiến Linhhas been one of Vietnam's foremost strikers.Vietnam's Golden Ball winner in 2024was once a great hope for the frontline, especially during the period when the national team achieved success under previous coaches.

However, top-level football has no room for the past. More than 10 consecutive matches without scoring at club level is a sufficient number to sound a warning bell about the form of the striker from Ho Chi Minh City Police FC.

Therefore, being dropped from the national team this time is not an emotional decision but clearly reflects selection criteria based on current performance. For Coach Kim Sang Sik, there is no "safe zone" for any star. Anyone who fails to meet the requirements must give up their place, regardless of reputation or experience.

The irony for the Thống Nhất Stadium-based club is that all three players named in the preliminary list wereCoach Kim Sang Sikofficially removed from the 23-man squad for this gathering. Besides Tiến Linh, striker Thanh Bình, who also lacks good form, was excluded. Unfortunately for many fans, Patrik Lê Giang was also dropped due to incomplete paperwork.

Coach Kim Sang Sik firmly excludes Tiến Linh, continuing to place trust in Nguyễn Hoàng Đức. This point shows the difference in his perspective. Vietnam's Golden Ball winner in 2025, though not exploding brilliantly recently, still maintains an important role in the playing style, particularly in regulating and connecting the midfield.

The trust placed in Hoàng Đức shows that Coach Kim Sang Sik evaluates the Ninh Bình player based on tactical influence. In the current midfield, Hoàng Đức still deserves a spot according to the Korean coach's assessment.

The decision to exclude Tiến Linh also opens opportunities for new options on the attack. Names like Tuấn Hải, Gia Hưng, Việt Cường, and Xuân Son will have more room to prove themselves.

The emergence of naturalized players like Hoàng Hên and young player Văn Khang also indicates the national team is in a process of refreshing its forces, aiming for healthier competition.

Looking broader, this is a necessary step in the context where Vietnam's national team attack is showing signs of stagnation. Not only Tiến Linh, many other strikers also struggle to maintain stable scoring performance. That forces Coach Kim Sang Sik to change, if he does not want the team to fall into a state of dependence on a few individuals as before.

From a positive perspective, the decision to exclude Tiến Linh could also become motivation for the 1997-born striker to return stronger. Being dropped from the national team is never the end, but could be the starting point for a rebuilding journey. If he recovers his form, the national team door remains wide open for him.

Finally, the message sent by Coach Kim Sang Sik is very clear: the Vietnam national team is entering a stage of fiercer competition, where every position must be earned through performance and dedication. There is no room for safety, and there are no exceptions for anyone.