Vietnam's Injuries: Indonesia Celebrating Early, but Football Is Not About Names

Today's training session for the Vietnamese national team had an unusual silence. On Field No. 2, where I am familiar with the blazing runs of Van Vi and the long, line-breaking passes of Hoang Duc, only the intermittent whistle of the assistant coach remained. Duy Manh was also absent, having just done individual work in the gym. Three months ago, it was this trio that helped Vietnam crush Indonesia 3-0 in the qualifiers, with Van Vi opening the scoring and Hoang Duc contributing two assists. But today, they are all on the injury list and likely to miss the upcoming FIFA ASEAN Cup opening on November 23. Indonesian media do not hide their excitement. Articles with headlines like "Indonesia Has a Big Chance as Vietnam Loses Three Pillars" or "Unexpected Advantage Before the Big Day" are popping up across news sites. Passionate fans in Jakarta are already painting a rosy picture for their team. But I, who have been attached to Vietnamese football for two decades—from sitting in the stands at Hang Day Stadium to writing for a small newspaper in Chengdu—look at reality more cautiously. First, no one can deny Van Vi's class. In coach Kim Sang-sik's tactics, he plays the role of an arrow on the left side, not only supporting defense but also serving as a key outlet for breakaways in transition. According to statistics I have recorded over Vietnam's last 15 matches, when Van Vi is on the pitch, Vietnam's win rate reaches 80%, and nearly half of the goals come from quick counterattacks involving him. He is truly an indispensable 'rhythm' in the scheme built by the South Korean strategist. Hoang Duc, with those two assists in the 3-0 victory, is not just a conductor but also the one making decisions in tight spaces. When the opponent presses high, it is his ability to hold the ball and make immediate passes that helps the team escape pressure. Looking at Kim's tactical board in training, Hoang Duc is always the link between midfield and attack. His absence reminds me of my own story in 2026 when I misspelled Xhaka's name three times in a match at the World Cup. To understand a player, you need to watch them in many training sessions and matches, not just read their name on the starting lineup. Duy Manh, considered the 'steel wall' of the defense, brings a different kind of concern. Not only is he strong in duels, but he also commands the backline, organizing teammates' positions. Without him, Vietnam's defense with names like Bui Tien Dung or Nguyen Thanh Chung might become confused in set-piece situations, something Indonesia has exploited well in recent tournaments. However, Indonesian media may have forgotten that football does not work by simple addition. I have witnessed teams losing their stars yet playing more cohesively because the tactics force rotation and discover new options. Look at coach Park Hang-seo's squad in 2026, when he was without both Quang Hai and Cong Phuong for the match against Japan in the World Cup qualifiers. No one believed the team could hold on, but it was the young players like Nguyen Thanh Nhan and Nguyen Hai Long who impressed and formed the basis of a new generation. The core issue is not the absence of three pillars but how coach Kim Sang-sik rebuilds his scheme. From recent closed training sessions, I have seen him experimenting with a 3-4-3 formation featuring two attacking midfielders shifted to the left, aiming to exploit Nguyen Van Toan's speed. Despite being small, Van Toan is very quick and intelligent in movement, and he could fully replace Van Vi's role as a game-changer. In the playmaker position, he is using Phan Tuan Tai, who played well at the SEA Games, and Tuan Tai appears sharp in attacking the box. No one can yet say the backup trio will outperform, but there is also no basis to think they will be weaker. What I find interesting is Indonesia's confidence. They look at the opponent's injury list and think this is an opportunity. But looking at the head-to-head history, Indonesia have not won away against Vietnam in 20 years. In 18 meetings, Vietnam won 8, drew 7, and lost only 3. Even with key players missing, Indonesia still faces psychological difficulties, having never solved the opponent's wide plays. Modern football does not allow you to win based on reputation or jersey color. But when you have a squad of quality replacements and a clear tactical philosophy, injuries sometimes become an opportunity to refresh the lineup. I once stood in the stands during the pandemic season when no spectators were allowed. Empty stadium, but full hearts—that year I understood why I was sitting here. Football, wherever it is, is born from the heartbeat of fans. Even without stars, the hearts of Vietnamese people still turn to their team, and there are new, sparkling rhythms. The opening day is only two weeks away, and Indonesian media will keep talking about 'bright prospects.' But as the football pundits like to say: 'On the field, nobody asks for names, only results.' The only question now is: how will coach Kim Sang-sik build his lineup to solve the puzzle named Indonesia? Let's wait and see.