Indonesian Media Rejoice Over Vietnam's Losses: Key Trio Absent, Coach Kim Sang Sik Faces Major Puzzle at ASEAN Cup

With only a few weeks remaining before the ASEAN Cup 2026 kicks off, Vietnamese fans are eagerly awaiting their team's performances. Meanwhile, the atmosphere in Indonesia is completely different. The Indonesian media are making jubilant statements, even showing signs of underestimating their opponent, upon learning that the Vietnamese national team will miss three key players: Van Vi, Hoang Duc, and Duy Manh. Immediately, articles and football forums in Indonesia are flooded with messages like "Vietnam has weakened,", "Golden opportunity for Garuda,", and "Without Van Vi, Vietnam's attack will score nothing." Does this confidence have any basis? And how much impact do these losses really have on Vietnam's strength? This article will delve into a tactical and data-driven analysis, based on confirmed information from reliable sources. Specifically, according to the coaching staff of the Vietnamese team, left-back Van Vi was diagnosed with a muscle injury and his chances of recovering before the opening match are very low. Creative midfielder Hoang Duc is also facing a similar problem, while central defender Duy Manh is still recovering from a lingering injury. All three are familiar faces in the starting lineup under coach Kim Sang Sik, and their absence creates a huge gap that any team would be worried about. However, what excites the Indonesian media the most is probably a look back at recent head-to-head history. In Vietnam's 3-0 victory over Indonesia in the group stage of the 2026 AFF Championship (predecessor of the ASEAN Cup), Hoang Duc played the role of conductor with two assists, while Van Vi scored the opening goal. Therefore, when the two most important factors in that win are unavailable, Indonesian media believe it is a sign that the door to victory has opened wide for their team. In fact, looking at the Vietnamese team's performances under coach Kim Sang Sik, these concerns are not entirely unfounded. Van Vi is known for his impressive speed and effective support on the left flank. He often plays the role of a strategic card in quick counter-attacks from their own half, forcing the opponent's defense to stretch. His presence gives Vietnam an extra effective option to escape pressing. Without Van Vi, Vietnam's attack will lose a formidable spearhead on the left side, and transitioning from the defensive line will also become more difficult when facing high-pressing opposition. Not only Van Vi, but the absence of Hoang Duc is also a significant loss. Hoang Duc is a player with intelligent reading of the game, good tactical vision, and versatile passing skills. He is the one providing crucial passes in the final third. In the 3-0 win over Indonesia, his two assists were not just simple pass-to-goal moves; they showcased his ability to find spaces between defensive lines. Without Hoang Duc, Vietnam's creativity and unpredictability in central midfield will decrease significantly. Potential replacements like Hung Dung, or Hoang Anh, despite their experience, are unlikely to bring the same finesse and breakthrough quality. As for Duy Manh, although not mentioned as much as his teammates in attacking aspects, he is one of Vietnam's most reliable central defenders in recent years. His solidity in defense and ability to launch attacks from the back are invaluable. Without Duy Manh, Vietnam's backline will face greater pressure, especially against fast strikers like Egy Maulana Vikri or Witan Sulaeman. Coach Kim Sang Sik may be forced to use young, less experienced central defenders in big tournaments, a risk any coach would want to avoid. However, it would be a mistake to only focus on Indonesia's impressive numbers and forget that football is never decided solely by individuals. The Indonesians are too focused on Vietnam losing stars, ignoring the fact that Vietnam still has many other quality players. Names like Quang Hai, Tien Linh, Van Toan, or even newcomers like Nguyen Dinh Bac have proven their ability at the international level. Furthermore, looking back at ASEAN Cup history, Indonesia has always been considered a strong force but often falls short at decisive moments. They have skillful, fast players, but they lack cohesion and composure against big opponents. If Indonesia is overconfident based on the absence of Vietnam's pillars, they may pay a heavy price. On the side of Coach Kim Sang Sik, the South Korean coach is known for his ability to turn situations around. Since taking charge of Vietnam, he has built a flexible style that does not entirely rely on any one individual. He has many tactical solutions at hand, and the country's young players are developing rapidly. Coach Kim might adjust the formation to a 3-4-3 with fast wingers, or add an extra midfielder to compensate for Hoang Duc's creativity. What matters most is thorough preparation in terms of spirit and tactics before the tournament. From a data perspective, a seemingly dry statistic is nonetheless meaningful: in the last 5 official meetings between Vietnam and Indonesia, Vietnam has won 3, drawn 1, and lost only 1. Vietnam's average possession in those matches is 55%, showing that they usually take control. But that also inadvertently allows Indonesia to adapt to defensive counter-attacks. Without factors that break deadlocks like Van Vi and Hoang Duc, can Vietnam maintain such pressure? Another point to note: Indonesia has made significant progress under coach Shin Tae-yong. They are no longer a disorganized team as before. Their defense plays more disciplined, and their transition from defense to attack is faster thanks to speedy wingers. This will pose certain difficulties for Vietnam, especially when the squad is missing key players. However, all the above analysis is still theoretical. Football always contains surprises, and it is often said "where there is life, there is hope." Coach Kim Sang Sik has enough experience to overcome these challenges, and let us wait and see how the Vietnamese team will react in this difficult context. There is a paradox: the confident words of the Indonesian media inadvertently add strength to the Vietnamese players. When the whole world is doubting them, they will have extra motivation to prove that Vietnamese players are not afraid of any opponent. History has shown that in the SEA Games or AFF Cup, Vietnam often plays better when they are underestimated. That is the allure of football. For Coach Kim Sang Sik, he still has a lot of work ahead. Finding replacements for Van Vi and Hoang Duc is crucial. We might see Phan Tuan Tai or Nguyen Phong Hong Duy being more utilized in defense, while Do Hung Dung or Nguyen Quang Hai will take on the creative role. But whoever is chosen, the team's cohesion is what decides. In this respect, experimenting in upcoming friendlies is essential. Besides tactical factors, another psychological aspect should be mentioned. Losing three pillars just before a major tournament could weigh heavily on the entire team. However, conversely, it can also create a strong rebound when young players get the chance to prove themselves. In fact, Vietnam has had successful tournaments despite missing some stars, notably the 2026 AFF Cup when they missed defender Doan Van Hau in the early stages. Clearly, it would be insufficient not to mention the fans' support. In difficult times, the love and belief of fans is a great source of mental strength. Vietnamese fans are famous for their passion and loyalty. Surely, no matter who steps on the pitch, they will give their full support and expectations. This creates a solid foundation for young players stepping into battle with Indonesia. Looking back at the head-to-head history, there is a notion that Indonesia often feels more intimidated by Vietnam than the reverse. Despite having physical and stamina advantages, they tend to lose to Vietnamese technique and cleverness. Their excitement about Vietnam's injuries may be a sign of lingering psychological inferiority. They believe their victory only comes if Vietnam misses stars, indirectly admitting that if they faced a full-strength Vietnam, they do not believe in their ability to win. For those who love Vietnamese football, we should not worry too much. Let us trust Coach Kim Sang Sik and the Golden Star warriors. In difficulty, they will find their path. Ultimately, football is a team sport; when one star dims, others will shine. The time has come for young players to stand up, prove their worth, and write their own fairy tale at this ASEAN Cup.