Coach Kim Sang Sik and the Midfield Equation: When the Crowd Shouts, I Count Again

When the final whistle at My Dinh echoed in January 2026, the whole nation erupted. Vietnam had just clinched a third Southeast Asian championship, and Kim Sang Sik was suddenly a hero. The crowd shouted about a new era, about an unstoppable collective. But I, with the cold mind of someone who has watched football since the days when pitches smelled of earth, saw a harsh truth: behind the gold trophy is a midfield that has never been truly tested. The honorary trophy is a tissue to wipe the tears of the reigning champion, and time is proving that. The FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 is about to kick off in September and October, and Kim Sang Sik is busy. But being busy does not mean being on the right track. In his latest remarks, he admitted that Quang Hai and Hoang Duc are both attack-minded, and he needs to add midfielders who can contest and recover balls. Sounds logical? To me, it's a confession about a structural flaw that has long existed, masked by a solid defense and sharp counter-attacks at the 2026 ASEAN Cup. Look at the numbers. At the 2026 ASEAN Cup, Vietnam conceded only 3 goals in 8 matches. But the opponents in Group B this year—Thailand, the Philippines, and Pakistan—are not like the Indonesia, Singapore, or Laos of that year. Thailand knows how to exploit the gaps between the lines. The Philippines, with superior physicality, will put immense pressure on our fragile midfield. Without a true 'sweeper' in front of the back four, Quang Hai and Hoang Duc will be forced to drop deep to help defend, losing their creative edge in the final third. When numbers speak, I listen. And the numbers say: in the 2026-26 season, Quang Hai won only 42% of his duels in the middle third, while Hoang Duc's successful tackle rate is below 50%. These are not the stats of a central midfield pair that can withstand and neutralize quick counter-attacks. In fact, Vietnam was fortunate to have a tournament where opponents mostly parked the bus. But at the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup, with the new format, the group winner goes directly to the final, and the runner-up must play for bronze. One mistake in the group stage and it's all over. Southeast Asian football is no longer a playground for minnows. Thailand, despite a transitional phase, still has players with technique and international experience. They have beaten Vietnam at My Dinh before in the 2026 final. If Kim Sang Sik relies solely on the Quang Hai–Hoang Duc duo and hopes they will figure it out, he is repeating the mistake of his predecessor. I do not deny the talent of these two players. Quang Hai has great tactical vision, and Hoang Duc is an excellent tempo-setter. But they are 'number 10s', not 'number 6s'. When both start together, the gap between the midfield and the defensive line becomes a deadly void. Opponents just need one line-breaking pass to slice through the entire system. Evidence: in a recent friendly against Iraq, Vietnam lost 0-2, and the first goal came from losing possession in midfield. So what is Kim Sang Sik's solution? He says he will watch the first two rounds of the V-League 2026-27, starting September 4, to find suitable players. But the schedule is a huge obstacle: after just two rounds, the league pauses for FIFA Days. That means he has about two weeks to identify, call up, and acclimatize a new defensive midfielder. Top-level football does not operate on a 'try-and-pick' basis. It takes at least a few games for a new player to absorb the tactics. This raises a big question: does Vietnam currently boast an internationally competitive defensive midfielder? The answer, based on my years of watching the V-League, is not yet. There are names like Do Hung Dung, but age has diminished his stamina. Nguyen Tuan Anh is too fragile physically. Young faces like Nguyen Thai Son have only a few caps and have not proven their mettle under high pressure. This is a void that has existed since the Park Hang-seo era. Another angle, which I deem far more critical, is the pressure of defending the title. The history of Southeast Asian football shows that reigning champions rarely retain the title. Thailand did it in 2026 after winning in 2026, but that was due to a golden generation. Vietnam in 2026 is in transition, with many core players over 30. Fan expectations are a burden, and when the team underperforms in the group stage, criticism will fall on the coach. Can Kim Sang Sik handle it? Perhaps, but if he cannot solve the midfield puzzle, everything will collapse. Let's talk about the new format. The 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup includes Pakistan—a non-Southeast Asian nation. This indicates FIFA's desire to expand the tournament, but it also means a denser schedule. With the group winner going straight to the final and the runner-up playing for third place, there are no semi-finals. This makes every group-stage match a final. A team that walks in with complacency will be eliminated early. Commercially, FPT Play's acquisition of full broadcast rights is a positive signal, showing the broadcaster's confidence in the team's appeal. But that's a business story. For fans, winning is all that matters. And to win, Vietnam needs a concrete plan rather than promises. I recall in 2026 when I published my analysis of Paulinho's '19 goals' in the Chinese Super League. At the time, the entire online community screamed that I was wrong. But when he moved to La Liga, everything was proven. I am not one to follow the herd. With Kim Sang Sik, I believe he too should not listen to the praise they sang upon winning, but instead look at hard numbers. According to data I've gathered from recent international matches, when Vietnam faces high-pressing opponents, our midfield often loses orientation. In the match against India in October 2026, despite winning 2-1, our possession in our own half was as high as 63%. A team with ambition to control the game must keep the ball in the opponent's half. Without a defensive midfielder good enough to transition play, possession is meaningless. I won't name names because I don't want to put undue pressure on young players. But I think Kim Sang Sik should look at the U23 squad that just won the SEA Games gold in 2026. Names like Nguyen Duc Viet or Khuan Van Khang—who played well as deep-lying midfielders—deserve a chance. They may not be perfect, but they have desire and stamina. Bringing them early, letting them face Thailand, is a long-term strategy not just for this tournament but for the future. But all this is theoretical. In reality, Kim Sang Sik may opt for safety, using familiar faces. The pressure from media and fans makes coaches hesitant to change. I understand that. But top-level football is for the bold. Look at Thailand. They are rejuvenating with players in Europe, like Ekanit Panya in Japan, and Chanathip Songkrasin still hungry. They are not afraid to experiment. If Vietnam clings to the old formula, we will be left behind. Then there's the club-versus-country tension. The V-League 2026-27 starts on September 4, and after two rounds, players must join the national team. This means clubs lose key players early, affecting results and revenue. Without adequate compensation, a 'club vs national team' crisis could erupt, as many Asian nations have experienced. The VFF needs to mediate, but that is beyond Kim Sang Sik's control. Finally, let's talk about the Korean coach himself. He is a smart tactician, good at reading matches. But he is also conservative in his selections. Since taking over, he rarely changes the starting lineup. This can be an advantage in the short term, but a risk when opponents have figured him out. The FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 is approaching. If Kim Sang Sik solves the defensive-midfield puzzle, Vietnam can go far. If not, we will witness another painful defeat against Thailand. And then, the crowd will forget everything they shouted before. Remember: sports bubbles don't burst with a bang; they deflate with a sigh. I just hope that sigh does not begin in the group stage. The crowd has the right to be deluded, but I have the right to be awake. And I will continue to count every number, every pass, every tackle. Because only then can we see the true essence of this game.