Vietnam fields strongest lineup to beat Pakistan

Vietnam enters the final Group B match determined to take all three points against Pakistan, keeping alive their hopes of a third-place playoff spot. Coach Kim Sang-sik confirmed he will field the strongest lineup, focusing on attack to settle the match early. After the defeat to Thailand, the coaching staff identified rotation as one of the causes of the disappointing result. Therefore, the Pakistan match is seen as a chance for Vietnam to regain stability and morale. Currently, the team has 3 points from 2 matches, no longer able to compete for the top spot, but still needing a favorable result against Pakistan to improve their position. The match takes place at a stadium in Jakarta and will be broadcast live on FPT Play. Regarding personnel, Hoàng Hên is likely to return to the starting lineup after a period of absence. In addition, Đình Bắc, Hải Long, and Minh Hoàng have been assigned scoring duties, showing Coach Kim Sang-sik's trust in this attacking trio. At the pre-match press conference, the Korean coach emphasized that the whole team is very determined and focused on the sole goal of winning. He also said that using many new faces in the Thailand match was part of the reason for the poor result. Therefore, the Pakistan match will see the return of the most important key players. As for Pakistan, the opponent is considered weaker, but Vietnam must not be complacent. Kim Sang-sik's players need to start with high concentration, maintain reasonable team spacing, and make the most of the chances they create. Vietnam's defense also needs to stay solid against the opponent's counterattacks. This encounter is also an opportunity for the coaching staff to test the players' adaptability in an attack-oriented formation. Although there is no chance of winning the title, Vietnam still needs to show courage and class against a lower-rated opponent. A convincing win would not only improve their position but also strengthen the fans' trust. However, experts note that the result against Pakistan does not fully reflect the gap between Vietnam and Thailand – the opponent that beat them in the previous match. Fans expect a convincing performance, but they also need to assess the true strength to avoid unnecessary pressure on the team. The match between Vietnam and Pakistan will take place on October 2, 2026. This is a decisive match for Vietnam's position in Group B. With the strongest lineup, Coach Kim Sang-sik and his players are determined to win to close out the group stage with a positive result. The match will be broadcast live and in full on the FPT Play platform, promising to attract great attention from Vietnamese football fans.