Coach Kim Sang Sik is patient with Tai Loc

His debut against Myanmar did not bring a goal or an explosive impression for Nguyen Tai Loc. That nhung, that does not mean with the naturalized newcomer of the Vietnam national team disappointed, while Coach Kim Sang Sik is still being patient to help the Ninh Binh player maximize his value.

Not every player can shine immediately in their first appearance for the national team. And Tai Loc is no exception after his official debut on July 18. The Ninh Binh player has just undergone a training camp and 4 friendly matches with the Vietnam national team. The friendly win over Myanmar 4-0 clearly reflects the difficulties the Brazilian-born player is experiencing and must work hard to adapt.

The 90 minutes on Thai Nguyen field was the time when Coach Kim Sang Sik very patiently gave opportunities to the 32-year-old player. Tai Loc played the full 90 minutes in various positions, from striker, attacking midfielder to playmaking midfielder.

This is not simply a professional test, but also a way for the Korean coach to help his student better understand the team's tactical system, because compared to many teammates, Tai Loc is a true newcomer.

Apart from Le Giang, almost no one in the team has had as little time to get acquainted with the collective as the player born in 1994. While most of the players have played together in many tournaments and clearly understand Coach Kim Sang Sik's philosophy, Tai Loc has only just begun that journey.

The difficulty is even greater when the position of the Ninh Binh striker is the most fiercely competitive. Hoang Duc, Quang Hai, Hai Long, Hoang Hen, or Dinh Bac can all take on the same role as Tai Loc. In such a star-studded team, it is completely normal for a new player to not immediately find common ground.

Coach Kim Sang Sik let the Ninh Binh player play continuously, accepting the still-unsynchronized combinations in exchange for ball feel and integration. In the match against Myanmar, Tai Loc still showed many promising qualities.

His strong left foot helped him unleash many long-range shots, while also making many passes to open up attacks. Although he has not yet scored or assisted, the player born in 1994 still showed confidence on the ball and was ready to try to make a difference.

The biggest strength of the 32-year-old player lies in his tactical vision, individual technique, good physique, and especially his left foot that can create a breakthrough in just a moment. Such players need more connection with the surrounding satellites to maximize their value. Fans are still waiting to see the best version of this naturalized newcomer.

The ASEAN Cup 2026 could be the ideal tournament for that to happen. The schedule with opponents of increasing difficulty will help Tai Loc gradually adapt to the team's rhythm. Each match will be another time for him to better understand Coach Kim Sang Sik's operation, while also helping his teammates better understand his qualities.

It is not by chance that the coaching staff still has high expectations for Tai Loc. Throughout many years playing in the V-League, Tai Loc has always been regarded as one of the players with the most technical left foot in the league. His extensive playing experience and ideal physique are advantages not everyone has.

Therefore, what Tai Loc needs now is not the pressure to score immediately, but patience. Coach Kim Sang Sik and his teammates have given their trust to the Ninh Binh player. And if everything goes according to plan, the ASEAN Cup 2026 could very well be the tournament that makes Tai Loc an important piece in the Vietnam national team's conquering journey.