Dinh Bac and the debutants: Vietnam win, but Kim Sang-sik still has plenty to address

Nguyen Dinh Bac scored in the 25th minute. The ball hit a Philippines defender, changed direction and ended up in the net. It was the defining moment of the match, giving Vietnam three points and extending their unbeaten run to 27 games. But football is not only measured by the scoreline. Looking at how Vietnam had to defend for more than an hour afterwards, coach Kim Sang-sik understood that this victory revealed only part of the picture. He had three points, but also a long list of issues to solve. After the opening goal, Vietnam dropped deep. The team surrendered the initiative to the Philippines, allowing the opponent to control possession and attack down both flanks. The midfield lost its shape, forcing the defenders into frequent one-on-one situations. Continuous pressure led to errors in passing. Worse, the low block meant Vietnam had very few players available for counter-attacks after winning the ball. The long balls from defence were easily dealt with by the Philippines. The prospect of a second goal faded. The Philippines did not create a flood of chances, but they were dangerous enough to trouble goalkeeper Patrik Le Giang. One shot hit the crossbar. Several attempts inside the box were made, but lacked precision in the final moment. The visitors' poor finishing and Le Giang's outstanding performance helped Vietnam keep a clean sheet. The goalkeeper made at least three important saves, reacted quickly in tight spaces and positioned himself well in aerial duels. Without him, the story of three points could have been different. The most positive aspect of the match was not the scoreline but the new faces. Three players made their Vietnam debuts and left different marks, but all of them showed that the coaching staff now have more options while key players are injured or fatigued from a congested schedule. Adou Minh, Khoa Ngo and Williams Minh Hoang, each with a specific role, filled some of the missing pieces in a squad long criticised for revolving around a familiar group of players. Adou Minh was placed in defence alongside Viet Anh and Xuan Manh. The Cong An Ha Noi centre-back showed surprising composure in his first game for the national team. He read situations well and often anticipated the opponent's attacking intent. His ability in duels was another major plus. He did not avoid contact, used his body wisely and made timely interceptions. His solidity contributed significantly to the clean sheet. In a match where the defence faced intense pressure, Adou Minh was a reliable anchor. Khoa Ngo had only about 20 minutes on the pitch after coming on in the 70th minute. Even so, the midfielder displayed energy and a clear attacking intent. He joined the forward moves, provided another outlet on the flank and helped Vietnam keep the ball better in the closing stages. There was no goal or assist, but his presence showed that Kim Sang-sik is gradually widening his midfield options. With the density of matches increasing, a player who can come off the bench and maintain the tempo is a tactical asset. Williams Minh Hoang made the biggest difference. Born in 2026, he was directly involved in the only goal. Receiving a through ball from Thanh Long, Hoang accelerated down the right flank, protected the ball and delivered a low cross. It hit the back of a Philippines defender and changed direction, allowing Dinh Bac to react first and score. Without the deflection, the move might have ended differently. But football always contains an element of luck, and Hoang's movement and positioning put Vietnam in the right place to take advantage of it. Giving a 19-year-old debutant a starting place in the opening match was not expected by many. Kim Sang-sik saw rare qualities in him. Hoang moved intelligently, handled the ball cleanly and was capable of creating chances for others. What stood out was how quickly he settled. After only a few training sessions, he was in the starting line-up and combined smoothly with his teammates. He did not look like a newcomer, but like someone who had been in the system for a long time. Notably, Williams Minh Hoang is 1.90 meters tall, yet he was not deployed as a central striker. He played on the right wing, while Nguyen Xuan Son occupied the central role. That was a calculated decision. When Xuan Son suffered an injury and had to leave the tournament early, Hoang's role became even more important. The Cafu? No, the Ca TP.HCM forward may now be asked to share goalscoring responsibility with Dinh Bac. With his height, pace and straightforward playing style, he has the attributes to become a future leading striker. The way he used his body to shield the ball and his delicate touches showed that he is not a young player relying only on physical presence. More precisely, Vietnam's problem was not defending after taking the lead. Any team needs to know how to drop deep and protect an advantage. The issue was how they did it. Vietnam dropped too deep and lost all intention of active pressing. The midfield became detached from the attack, leaving large spaces between the lines. When the Philippines moved the ball quickly, those spaces were exploited. The defence took unnecessary pressure, while the forwards did not have enough possession to keep the team's rhythm. A stronger opponent could have made Vietnam pay with an equaliser. Another start against Thailand for Williams Minh Hoang would not be a surprise. Whether he can fill Xuan Son's role remains an open question. One match is not enough to confirm the consistency of Adou Minh, Khoa Ngo or Hoang himself. But they have opened new possibilities at exactly the moment the coach needed them. Kim Sang-sik had spent considerable time shuffling almost the same group of players. This match showed that he can now explore more squad depth. Vietnam's victory was far from perfect. It was built on three points, a bit of luck, a brilliant goalkeeper and the opponent's lack of ruthlessness. But alongside the warnings, there were encouraging signals. The debutants proved they deserve opportunities. They may be the answer to the personnel puzzle Kim Sang-sik is facing. At a time when key players are tired, a squad that knows how to rotate and has young faces willing to take responsibility is the foundation for the long road ahead.