Vietnam missing three pillars: Is Indonesian media celebrating too soon?

Less than two weeks before the FIFA ASEAN Cup kicks off, a Jakarta-based newspaper described Vietnam as 'a car with faulty brakes.' The absence of Nguyen Van Vi and Nguyen Hoang Duc has left coach Kim Sang-sik's attack without its most crucial links, while the dependable centre-back Do Duy Manh further deepens the concern. Indonesian media have not hidden their excitement: the road to the semi-finals just opened wider. Following Vietnam through the qualifiers, I noticed Van Vi is not merely a left-back. He is the 'press-escape arrow,' often the starting point of lightning counter-attacks. In the 3-0 win over Indonesia in the qualifiers, Van Vi opened the scoring and Hoang Duc provided two assists. Losing both strips the left flank and central midfield of creativity. Duy Manh, though rarely mentioned, kept the defensive line in order. But do not rush into writing an obituary. In that same 3-0 victory, goals came from collective high pressing and fluid movement, not just from individual brilliance. Kim Sang-sik has rotated his squad effectively in the qualifiers, giving young players like Đình Bắc and Thái Sơn chances to shine. They may lack international experience, but they have the hunger to prove themselves. When underestimated, they often play with fire. Modern football is not about eleven names but about the whole squad. Indonesia might want to check history: the side written off often delivers the biggest surprise. Rumours die when people stop believing, but the truth knows how to wait. That adage also applies to pre-match predictions. Vietnam is no longer a team dependent on individuals. If Indonesia arrive as the 'favorites,' they could be in for a shock. For the hungry young players, this is the perfect time to demonstrate that the team’s strength lies in squad depth. The final score on the pitch will be the only judge.