Coach Kim Sang Sik is determined not to let the Vietnam national team settle for its recent ASEAN Cup 2024 victory. Instead, he emphasizes improving the domestic V-League over relying on naturalized players to elevate the team’s competitive edge in continental tournaments.

The rise of Xuan Son and hopes for naturalized players

The remarkable performance of Xuan Son in the Vietnamese jersey has captured the hearts of fans.

With exceptional skills and seamless integration into the team’s culture and dynamics, Xuan Son has set high expectations for future naturalized players of similar caliber to help Vietnam excel on the Asian stage.

This desire is justified, especially as fans witness Xuan Son’s wholehearted dedication to the national team’s colors and pride.

V-League's challenges in quality and tempo

In a recent media briefing, Nguyen Minh Ngoc, CEO of Vietnam Professional Football (VPF), shed light on the technical state of the V-League and lower divisions.

One surprising revelation was that the actual playing time in V-League matches averages only about 50 minutes per game, effectively just over one half of football. Despite interventions, such as guidelines from the VPF and VFF, playing time has only slightly improved to around 55–60 minutes, excluding stoppage time.

This low active playtime persists despite the introduction of VAR, which often extends matches to over 100 minutes. The "time-wasting" tactics ingrained in the V-League remain a long-standing habit that undermines the league’s quality and competitiveness.

Kim Sang Sik’s vision for sustainable growth

Following Vietnam’s ASEAN Cup victory, Kim Sang Sik remains ambitious, aiming for the team to achieve greater heights beyond the regional level.

While acknowledging the potential benefits of high-quality naturalized players like Xuân Son, Kim’s focus extends to broader goals: fostering a more competitive and engaging domestic league.

He envisions a V-League and First Division filled with exciting matches, free from the dullness and time-wasting tactics that have plagued recent seasons.

To achieve this, clubs and players must collaborate to eliminate these negative practices, committing to more entertaining and determined football.

As the VPF and VFF continue their efforts to improve league standards, a robust and competitive domestic system would reduce Vietnam’s reliance on naturalized players, providing a stronger foundation for the national team.

Kim Sang Sik’s message is clear: a thriving domestic league is the cornerstone of sustained success for Vietnamese football on the global stage.

Duy Nguyen