*This content was translated by AI.View Original
An unexpected dilemma has arisen for Kim Sang-sik, head coach of the Vietnam national football team. With the 2027 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup postponed by approximately one year, its schedule now overlaps with that of the 2028 AFC Under-23 (U-23) Asian Cup.
On the 3rd (Korean time), the AFC announced via its official website that it would change the hosting schedule for the 2027 Saudi Arabia Asian Cup.
The Asian Cup was originally scheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia from January 7, 2027, to February 5, 2027. However, due to this decision, it has been changed to take place from December 23, 2027, to January 21, 2028.
Recent changes in the geopolitical situation in the Middle East were the cause. The AFC stated that it had held sufficient discussions with the local organizing committee in Saudi Arabia and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, explaining, "Considering recent changes in the regional political situation and the resulting logistical issues and travel disruptions, we decided to postpone the tournament." The new tournament schedule is expected to be finalized after approval by the International Football Federation (FIFA).
The problem lies in the fact that the schedule overlaps with other international tournaments. The 2028 U-23 Asian Cup is scheduled to be held in Japan from January 4, 2028, to the 22nd, 2028. According to the currently announced schedules, the two tournaments will overlap for a staggering 18 days, from January 4 to January 21.
The U-23 Asian Cup also serves as the Asian regional qualifying tournament for the men's football event at the 2028 Los Angeles (LA) Olympics, which will be held in July of the same year. It is a crucial tournament where the top two teams are granted qualification for the Olympic finals.
Concerns have also emerged within Vietnam. The Vietnamese media outlet The Thao 247 reported, "With the Asian Cup postponed to January 2028, the biggest challenge is that its schedule overlaps with the U-23 Asian Cup held in Japan," adding, "Vietnam now faces the difficult problem of allocating players between the senior national team and the U-23 national team."
The outlet particularly expressed concern about Coach Kim's situation. It noted, "More serious is that head coach Kim Sang-sik will be caught in a situation where 'if he picks one side, he loses the other,'" pointing out that there is a high probability he will not be able to accompany the U-23 national team directly and command players on the Asian stage.
It further analyzed, "This could also have a direct impact on maintaining consistency across Vietnam's entire elite football development system."
Coach Kim has led not only the Vietnam senior national team but also the U-23 national team. However, if both Asian Cups are held simultaneously, it is virtually impossible for Coach Kim to directly command matches for both national teams. If the tournament schedules are not further adjusted, the Vietnam Football Federation will also be in a situation where it must consider its national team management system.
This kind of dilemma is not unique to Vietnam. Japan and China have also been troubled by unexpected schedule conflicts resulting from the Asian Cup postponement.
Japan's Soccer King reported that because the schedules for the Asian Cup and the LA Olympics qualifiers are unusually overlapping, it could affect the concurrent coaching system of Hajime Moriyasu and Takumi Oya, as well as player call-ups.
Originally, Japan had planned for head coach Hajime Moriyasu to lead the senior national team until the early 2027 Asian Cup before stepping down, with Coach Oya taking over the helm from March of the same year. In particular, Coach Oya was designated to lead both the senior national team and the age-group national teams preparing for the Olympics simultaneously.
However, the postponement of the Asian Cup has disrupted these plans. Since the two tournaments overlap, there is a possibility that the roles of Coach Oya and his coaching staff will need to be readjusted.
China's situation is similar. The China Youth Daily reported that due to the Asian Cup postponement, the Chinese national team faces a difficult situation where it must handle multiple tournaments, paying particular attention to the schedule conflict with the U-23 Asian Cup.
The outlet expressed concern, stating, "Players of an age eligible to participate in the Olympic team, such as Wang Yudong (Zhejiang FC) and Kwai Ching-wan (Shanghai Port), already play important roles in the senior national team," adding, "If both Asian Cups are held during the same period, the senior national team and the Olympic team will face issues regarding player allocation."
However, Vietnam did not view the Asian Cup postponement solely in a negative light. It also offered analysis suggesting it could be a good opportunity to strengthen its overall strength.
The Thao 247 pointed out that with the preparation period until the tournament extended, there is hope for the recovery of key players from injuries and the integration of naturalized players.
The outlet explained, "The most notable advantage is the recovery of key players," noting, "Several players have secured sufficient time to fully treat their injuries and regain peak physical condition."
The possibility of naturalized players joining was also evaluated positively. Players pursuing naturalization, such as Brian Ly, Emeryck Porang, and Tyler Crawford, have gained time to complete the relevant procedures.
Particular attention was paid to the potential inclusion of naturalized Brazilian defender Do Phuong (People's Public Security). Do Phuong, whose real name is Gustavo Santana Santos, is a tall central defender standing 195 cm tall who acquired Vietnamese citizenship in December last year.
However, separate from acquiring Vietnamese citizenship, he has not yet met FIFA's eligibility requirements for national team participation. Local sources in Vietnam predict that he will be eligible to play for the national team after mid-2027.
With the postponement of the Asian Cup, a possibility of participation has opened up for Do Phuong as well. The Thao 247 expressed hope that naturalized players could play an important role in supplementing weaknesses revealed in the defense and midfield.
It was also cited as an advantage that Coach Kim can further solidify his football philosophy. By experimenting with new tactics and giving opportunities to young players, he can build a more organized team.
However, concerns were also raised that the long preparation period could actually diminish players' match sharpness. The outlet pointed out that if the performance of key players drops suddenly or the national team's match rhythm is interrupted, it could hinder existing plans for team strength.
It further stated, "The preparation period created by the Asian Cup postponement is like a double-edged sword," evaluating, "If head coach Kim Sang-sik and the Vietnam Football Federation use this time wisely to reinforce the squad and refine tactics, it can serve as a stepping stone for a historic leap forward."
At the same time, it warned, "If the rhythm of competitive matches is broken and the squad stagnates, the extended preparation period could turn into a trap that dulls the national team's combat power."
<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>
*This content was translated by AI.View Original
