Vietnam defeat Siheung FC 6–0 in first training match in South Korea
On the afternoon of July 5, the Vietnam national team played their first training match of the training camp in Incheon, South Korea, taking on Siheung FC, a club competing in K League 3. The fixture marked the first on-field test for head coach Kim Sang Sik and his players as they continue their preparations for the ASEAN Cup 2026.
In line with his objective of assessing the entire squad, head coach Kim Sang Sik fielded two different line-ups, with each playing one half to ensure every player had the opportunity to gain valuable match minutes. Notably, newly naturalised players Nguyen Xuan Son, Do Hoang Hen, and Nguyen Tai Loc were introduced in the second half alongside several of the team’s established key players.
The match was played under challenging weather conditions, as heavy rain began shortly after kick-off and persisted for the opening 15 minutes. Despite the difficult conditions, the weather had little impact on Vietnam’s planned approach, allowing the coaching staff to carry out their tactical objectives as intended.
Vietnam made a dream start, taking the lead in just the second minute when Viet Cuong curled a superb right-footed effort into the top corner. The team continued to create a series of well-constructed attacking moves, with smooth link-up play between the defence, midfield, and attack.
In the 31st minute, Hai Long doubled the advantage with a composed finish following a well-worked team move. Just eight minutes later, the midfielder completed his brace with a close-range finish after being set up by Viet Cuong, giving Vietnam a commanding 3–0 lead at half-time.
After the break, head coach Kim Sang Sik changed the entire line-up to continue assessing his squad. The fresh combinations quickly made an impact. In the 48th minute, Do Hoang Hen extended Vietnam’s lead to 4–0 with a close-range finish inside the penalty area.
Just four minutes later, Nguyen Xuan Son burst forward with an impressive run before delivering a precise assist for Hoang Hen to score his second goal of the match, putting Vietnam firmly in control with a 5–0 advantage.
Vietnam continued to dominate for the remainder of the match, maintaining constant pressure on the opposition. In the 61st minute, Dinh Bac struck the post with a powerful effort, while Truong Tien Anh and Nguyen Van Vi also created several promising scoring opportunities. In the 83rd minute, Dinh Bac capped off the performance by bursting past his marker before finishing confidently to seal a 6–0 victory for Vietnam.
Beyond the convincing scoreline, the match provided the coaching staff with valuable insights into the team’s overall performance, including the effectiveness of different tactical setups and the integration of new players—particularly the recently naturalised footballers. These observations will be crucial as Vietnam continues its preparations in the remaining training matches ahead of the Hyundai Cup 2026.
According to the team’s schedule, the Vietnam national team will continue training in Incheon before taking on Yongin FC of K League 2 in their second training match on July 8. The fixture is expected to provide a sterner test, giving head coach Kim Sang Sik another valuable opportunity to refine his tactical plans and further assess the squad ahead of the ASEAN Cup 2026.
