Vietnam's national team unexpectedly possesses a midfield lineup that surpasses the forwards.

Vietnam's national team currently boasts a midfield that scores more effectively than the forwards.

The latest gathering of Vietnam's national team reveals a surprising trend: midfielders are not only creating opportunities but also scoring more efficiently than the forwards. This is not coincidental but rather a tactic developed by coach Kim Sang Sik aimed at forming a versatile and unpredictable lineup.

In the call-up list, the midfield has become the area where coach Kim Sang Sik places the highest expectations. Except for midfielder Thanh Long, players like Nguyen Quang Hai, Nguyen Hoang Duc, Khuat Van Khang, Nguyen Hai Long, and Do Hoang Hen all tend to push forward, directly participating in attacks, and can even play as forwards.

In practice, coach Kim Sang Sik has experimented with continuously swapping positions between midfielders and forwards. This method makes the boundary between the two lines increasingly blurred, while creating unexpected attacking threats, making it difficult for opponents to predict.

Comparing scoring efficiency, the forward line consisting of Nguyen Xuan Son, Pham Tuan Hai, Nguyen Tran Viet Cuong, and Pham Gia Hung has only scored 10 goals in this season's V-League. Meanwhile, the called-up midfielders have scored a total of 21 goals, highlighted by Hoang Hen (6 goals, 4 assists), Hoang Duc (6 goals), Quang Hai (3 goals), and Van Khang (3 goals). This is a superior and noteworthy number compared to pure strikers.

These statistics show that midfielders are carrying the majority of the scoring responsibility for the national team. This versatility helps Vietnam's national team no longer rely on a fixed center forward, while opening up many flexible attacking options. However, it also poses a challenge in maintaining efficiency without a true "finisher."

Clearly, coach Kim Sang Sik is aiming for a versatile lineup where midfielders can play as forwards, becoming important tactical pieces. In this context, pure forwards will need to strive harder to secure starting positions, as midfielders are gradually "dominating" the attacking line.