Vietnam's national team gains additional formidable weapons ahead of AFF Cup 2026

Vietnam's national team possesses many set-piece specialists and quality aerial duel players ahead of AFF Cup 2026.

Under coach Kim Sang Sik, set-piece situations are becoming one of the most dangerous attacking options for Vietnam's national team. With the addition of new players in the latest training camp, the strength from free kicks and aerial balls is expected to become even more formidable as they aim for AFF Cup 2026.

A key point is that the team currently has many players capable of executing quality set-pieces. Names like Nguyen Quang Hai, Hoang Duc, Khuat Van Khang, and Hoang Hen are highly regarded for their direct free-kick abilities. Additionally, the return of Phan Tuan Tai and Nguyen Dinh Bac gives coach Kim Sang Sik more options for corner kicks or crosses from the flanks.

The diversity in personnel also makes Vietnam's national team harder to predict. Depending on the position and distance to the opponent's goal, the coaching staff can select the most suitable players with the right skills to execute. This is a major advantage, as AFF Cup rivals often spend a lot of time studying the set-piece attacking plans of the region's top teams.

Not only possessing many set-piece specialists, but Vietnam's national team also has a strong group of players in aerial battles. Figures such as Xuan Son, Nguyen Tai Loc, Gia Hung, Thanh Chung, Viet Anh, Van Hau, and Duy Manh all have good heading abilities. Notably, young center-back Quang Kiet, standing at 1.95m, is considered one of the players with a superior advantage in aerial situations.

The emergence of Quang Kiet and Tai Loc brings more new options to Vietnam's national team. Not only do they have ideal physiques, but this duo is also relatively unknown to regional opponents. The lack of available data to study them will help create an element of surprise in crucial matches at AFF Cup 2026.

When combining quality passers with a squad of strong aerial players, Vietnam's national team can turn set-piece situations into a special weapon. In a context where many AFF Cup matches are often decided by small moments, this could be the key for coach Kim Sang Sik and his players to make a difference and aim to defend their Southeast Asian throne.