News from go88 sports, tJapanese media outlets believe the Vietnamese national team is not an easy opponent to defeat ahead of the friendly match scheduled for December 30th. The presence of naturalized players of Brazilian and Slovakian origin, along with the potential return of key players after injury, are seen as factors that could help coach Kim Sang-sik’s team increase their competitiveness.
Japanese media highly praises the Vietnamese national team.
According to Sponichi, the Vietnamese national team is currently ranked 99th in the FIFA rankings, second in Southeast Asia after Thailand, which is ranked 93rd. Despite failing to advance beyond the second round of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, Vietnamese football continues to receive attention from Japanese media ahead of their anticipated clash later this year.
Japan highly regards Vietnam’s strength through its naturalized players.
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Sponichi believes that the Vietnamese team possesses players who can make a difference, especially the naturalized players. This is also one of the reasons why Japan is not taking the upcoming friendly match lightly, despite the significant gap between the two teams in the FIFA rankings.
The South Korean coach continues to build his squad for important tournaments, with the 2027 Asian Cup being a notable target. The friendly match against Japan, if confirmed, would be an opportunity for the coaching staff to assess the form and coordination of the players before entering the continental tournament.
Naturalized players could return at the right time.
One of the points highlighted by Japanese media is the potential return of three Brazilian-born players: Nguyen Xuan Son, Do Hoang Hen, and Nguyen Tai Loc. All three are currently recovering from injuries and are expected to return to competition by the end of December.
If these players recover in time, the Vietnamese national team will have more quality personnel options ahead of the clash with Japan. The return of key players will also give coach Kim Sang-sik more choices in team selection and tactical planning.
Nguyen Xuan Son was known for his goal-scoring ability, strength in tackles, and significant presence in the penalty area. Meanwhile, Do Hoang Hen and Nguyen Tai Loc could add more options to the team when they are in top physical condition.
Besides players of Brazilian descent, goalkeeper Le Giang Patrik was also mentioned in the Japanese newspaper article. The 34-year-old goalkeeper has a Vietnamese father and a Slovakian mother. To be eligible to play for the Vietnamese national team, he also had to complete the naturalization process as required.
Adding players with diverse training backgrounds and playing experience could help the Vietnamese national team diversify its playing style. However, each individual’s participation still depends on their recovery progress and the final decision of the coaching staff.
Injuries affected performance at the regional tournament.
At the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, held from September 24th to October 5th, the Vietnamese national team finished only fourth after suffering defeats against Thailand and Malaysia. According to Japanese media, the injury situation of many players significantly affected the preparation and results of coach Kim Sang-sik’s team.
Therefore, the friendly match at the end of December is of great importance to the Vietnamese national team. This is not only an opportunity to test their capabilities against a top Asian opponent, but also helps the coaching staff assess the readiness of the players after a period of inactivity and injury treatment.
If the squad improves, Vietnam could use the match to refine their defensive system, increase their ability to transition between attacking and defensive phases, and test different attacking options before the 2027 Asian Cup.
Japan is heading into the final home game under coach Moriyasu.
The Japanese national team is currently ranked 17th in the world, 82 places higher than Vietnam. Coach Hajime Moriyasu’s team is also maintaining positive form, remaining unbeaten in their last six matches, with five wins and one draw, scoring 12 goals and conceding four.
During the September and October training camps, Japan gave opportunities to many players with little international experience, including four newcomers. The East Asian team achieved positive results against Uruguay, Venezuela, Ecuador, and New Zealand, including a victory after a penalty shootout.
According to the plan, Japan will travel to Singapore in November to play friendly matches against Brazil and Paraguay before regrouping around December 26th. The match against Vietnam is scheduled to take place eight days before the start of the 2027 Asian Cup and is considered the team’s final preparation at home before the tournament.
This could also be coach Moriyasu’s last home game with the Japanese national team before he leaves the club after the 2027 Asian Cup, ending a nine-year tenure.
The Japanese squad expected to face Vietnam will primarily consist of players currently competing in the domestic league. Players currently playing abroad will join the team in Saudi Arabia to prepare for the Asian Cup finals.
For Japan, the match against Vietnam is an opportunity to assess their squad before facing Indonesia, Thailand, and Qatar in Group F. Despite having an advantage in ranking and form, Coach Moriyasu’s team still needs to maintain focus to be in top shape before the tournament.
History of confrontations and Vietnam’s preparation plans.
The last time Vietnam faced Japan was in the group stage of the 2023 Asian Cup on January 14, 2024. On that occasion, the Japanese team won 4-2 in a high-scoring match. Vietnam scored two goals, courtesy of Nguyen Dinh Bac and Pham Tuan Hai, under coach Philippe Troussier.
This result shows that the Vietnamese team created difficult moments for their opponents, even though they couldn’t secure any points. The rematch, scheduled for the end of 2026, will be an opportunity for coach Kim Sang-sik’s team to assess their progress after nearly three years.
According to the planned schedule, the Vietnamese national team will gather in Hanoi on December 21st. If the friendly match agreement with Japan is finalized, the team may adjust its training schedule to Japan before traveling to West Asia, most likely Qatar. The Vietnam Football Federation is also negotiating for the team to play a closed-door friendly match with Qatar on January 5th, 2027.
At the 2027 Asian Cup, the Vietnamese national team is in Group E along with the UAE, South Korea, and Yemen. The team is scheduled to play the UAE on January 10th, South Korea on January 15th, and Yemen on January 20th.
The 2027 Asian Cup finals will take place in Saudi Arabia from January 7th to February 5th, featuring 24 teams divided into six groups. The six group winners, six group runners-up, and the four best third-placed teams will qualify for the Round of 16.
Conclusion
With the continental tournament fast approaching, the friendly match against Japan will provide a necessary test for the Vietnamese national team. The recovery of key players, the quality of the squad, and tactical preparation will play a crucial role in the goal of enhancing the competitiveness of coach Kim Sang-sik’s team.