Thanh Nhàn and the tough challenge facing Coach Kim Sang-sik ahead of the U23 Asian Championship

Coach Kim Sang-sik faces a challenging issue centered on Thanh Nhàn ahead of the U23 Asian Championship scheduled in Saudi Arabia in January 2026.

The U23 Vietnam team just concluded SEA Games 33 with an emotional gold medal, but their journey onto the continental stage started in a rather unfavorable way. Within just a few days of training, Coach Kim Sang-sik received continuous bad news regarding the squad, from defensive injuries to complications that put the attack line in a “critical” state.

The biggest concern for the coaching staff lies with Nguyễn Thanh Nhàn — the SEA Games hero who is racing against time. It is known that Thanh Nhàn suffered a muscle issue after the training session on December 29 and was unable to participate in the final friendly match against U23 Syria.

Before heading to Qatar, U23 Vietnam had already lost defender Tuấn Phong because of injury; upon arrival, the injury list extended to include Nguyễn Tân and Thanh Nhàn. The key point is that Coach Kim Sang-sik must finalize the squad by January 5, just one day before the opening match. This means he must decide between waiting for Thanh Nhàn’s recovery or proactively choosing a replacement to avoid last-minute risks.

At SEA Games 33, Thanh Nhàn was not always a starter but is the type of player who can change the pace of the game. He scored the decisive goal in the semifinal against the Philippines and especially the winning goal that secured U22 Vietnam’s 3-2 victory over Thailand in the final to claim the gold medal.

Thanh Nhàn’s value is not only in scoring. In Coach Kim’s system, the team often requires players who can move widely, stretch the opponent’s defensive lines, and connect attacking layers. Thanh Nhàn is a rare “tactical piece” at the U23 level: possessing the speed to create breakthroughs and enough experience to stay composed against strong opponents.

In Thanh Nhàn’s absence, U23 Vietnam lost 1-2 to U23 Syria, with Nguyễn Lê Phát scoring the only goal. This match also revealed a familiar issue in Vietnamese youth football: creating many chances but lacking sharpness in finishing. One frequently mentioned moment was Lê Văn Thuận’s missed close-range opportunity near the end of the first half.

This defeat is not a disaster, but it makes the personnel problem even more pressing. Without a “game-changer” like Thanh Nhàn, U23 Vietnam will face significant difficulties.

In a tournament where just a few moments can change everything, losing a player capable of producing breakthroughs like Thanh Nhàn could alter the entire tactical approach of U23 Vietnam. Therefore, from now until January 5, the issue is not only whether Thanh Nhàn will recover in time but also whether Coach Kim Sang-sik will gamble until the last minute or opt for safety.