Domestic players help Coach Kim Sang Sik relieve pressure

Not many thought Vietnam would beat Indonesia 3-0 at Pakansari, a ground that had been a tough nut for Vietnamese football. The win is even more special given that Coach Kim Sang Sik left Xuan Son and Hoang Hen on the substitutes' bench.

The three-star triumph in Indonesia not only secured three precious points but also demonstrated howthe Vietnam national teamaffirms the value of its domestic strength.

Indonesia entered the match with a lineup featuring up to eight naturalized players. In theory, Coach John Herdman possessed a squad superior in physique, speed, and experience playing in European football environments.

However, all those advantages became meaningless against a Vietnam team that played cohesively, with discipline and much more versatility than the opponent had anticipated.

No longer overly reliant on a few stars, the Vietnam team kept Indonesia constantly on the defensive. Hai Long was energetic, creating breakthroughs with intelligent movements. Van Vi stunned Indonesia with a cunning opening goal.

Hoang Duc became the brain in every attack, controlling the tempo and showcasing top‑class creativity. Thanh Long quietly cleaned up the midfield, allowing his teammates to focus on attacking. At the back, Viet Anh and the defense played solidly, neutralizing most aerial balls and counterattacks from the hosts.

Remarkably, this victory came amid considerable pressure on Vietnam. The draw with Singapore at My Dinh Stadium on July 31 led to doubts about Coach Kim Sang Sik's personnel choices and his ability to create an identity for the team. Many opinions suggested Vietnam was too dependent on naturalized players or stars capable of individual brilliance.

The reality at Pakansari provided the clearest answer. When given trust, the domestic players were fully capable of shouldering the responsibility. They not only played their roles well but also brought balance, organization, and new vitality to the team's play.

It was this uniformity that made Indonesia unsure whom to mark, a stark contrast to the predictable image in previous matches. Coach Kim Sang Sik proved he does not build the team around any individual.

Keeping Xuan Son and Hoang Hen on the bench did not weaken Vietnam; on the contrary, it opened up more tactical options. That is the foundation of a great team when any player given the opportunity can make a difference.

The 3-0 victory not only helped Vietnam break the curse of never having beaten Indonesia at Pakansari, opening the door to the semifinals of theASEAN Cup 2026but also carried great spiritual value.

In the clash between a team heavily reliant on naturalized players and a team maximizing the strength of its domestic players at their peak, victory belonged to Vietnam.

That is the most positive signal for Coach Kim Sang Sik and the entire football scene. When players like Hai Long, Hoang Duc,Thanh Long, Viet Anh and many other domestic players are ready to shine, Vietnam will no longer depend on any single name.

The domestic players themselves are aware that they can compete fairly and deserve to play and shine. This will motivate domestic players to understand that they always have opportunities and can contribute to the team.