What plans does Coach Kim Sang Sik have to defeat Singapore?

Ahead of the second match of Group A in the ASEAN Cup 2026 against Singapore, Coach Kim Sang Sik made a notable decision by having the Vietnam national team train behind closed doors for two consecutive sessions.

This move not only aims to help the players maintain maximum focus ahead of an important match but also shows that the South Korean coach is preparing crucial tactical adjustments to secure all three points.

The 7-0 victory over Timor Leste on the opening day brought many positive signals for Vietnam. The attack was effective, applying constant pressure and capitalizing well on opportunities to score.

However, that impressive result does not mean Coach Kim Sang Sik's team delivered a flawless performance. While the attack operated efficiently, the defensive system still showed issues that need to be addressed promptly.

In the recent match, Vietnam repeatedly left gaps behind the defensive midfielder and along the flanks. These are weaknesses that stronger opponents could exploit if not corrected in time.

In fact, these shortcomings are not new. They were observed during the friendly match against Myanmar before the ASEAN Cup 2026 began and continued to appear on the tournament's opening day.

Therefore, refining the transition from attack to defense is likely one of the key focuses in the recent closed-door training sessions.

When the team pushes forward to seek goals, maintaining balance and ensuring counter-attack prevention is always a requirement. Adjustments related to personnel, playing positions, or tactical system operation naturally need to be kept secret to prevent Singapore from studying and devising countermeasures.

Not only focusing on defense, the Vietnam coaching staff is also reportedly preparing new attacking options. Despite scoring seven goals against Timor Leste, the red-shirted team has not yet fully exploited set pieces or high-pressing situations combined with late runs from the second line. These were effective tactics for Vietnam under Coach Kim Sang Sik.

The ability to capitalize on corner kicks, free kicks, or second-ball situations has always been considered a powerful weapon for the defending champions. Therefore, it is hard to imagine the South Korean strategist overlooking these proven methods from major matches.

Against a Singapore side that is much more organized and disciplined in defense than Timor Leste, Vietnam certainly needs to diversify its approaches to the opponent's goal rather than relying solely on normal attacking combinations.

Coach Kim Sang Sik's decision to train behind closed doors is therefore well-founded. This is not only a measure to help the team maintain high concentration but also a way for the coaching staff to perfect important tactical adjustments ahead of the major challenge named Singapore.

If they can overcome the defensive shortcomings and maximize their preferred attacking options, Vietnam has every opportunity to continue asserting the strength of the reigning ASEAN Cup champions.