Hoàng Hên is the 'key' for Coach Kim Sang Sik

At a time when Vietnam's national team's attack faces many questions about form, the appearance of naturalized player Đỗ Hoàng Hên promises to help Coach Kim Sang Sik reduce worries.

Not only is he simply a striker currently performing well in V-League, Hoàng Hên also brings diverse tactical options, something the Vietnam national team greatly needs during this transitional period.

In reality, the form of Vietnam's national team forwards recently has been causing concern for the coaching staff.

In the most recent squad list for November 2025, exceptXuân Sonand Việt just scored in round 14, all the strikers have fallen into a "goal drought" when returning to their clubs.

But even the striker currently playing for Nam Định has gone through a period of poor luck in V-League recently.

Names like Nguyễn Tiến Linh (Công an TP.HCM), Phạm Tuấn Hải (Hà Nội FC), and Phạm Gia Hưng (Ninh Bình) all face difficulties maintaining their scoring efficiency at their clubs.

This makes the striker issue one of the biggest challenges forCoach Kim Sang Sikbefore important goals like the upcoming Asian Cup qualifiers or ASEAN Cup.

The explosive form ofHoàng Hênat Hà Nội FC therefore brings much hope. After only 9 matches in V-League, this player has scored 6 goals and added 3 assists, directly contributing to 9 goals for the capital city team.Hà Nội FCreturning to the championship race in V-League owes much to the recently naturalized player.

Not only impressive statistics, Hoàng Hên also possesses versatility in attack. Unlike Xuân Son who mainly plays as a center forward, Hoàng Hên can play as a supporting striker, withdrawn forward, or winger. This opens up many tactical options for Coach Kim Sang Sik.

If deployed behind Xuân Son, Hoàng Hên could play a linking role, sharing the scoring burden and creating chances for his former teammate. The two players, very close since their time together at Nam Định, understand each other's movements and playing habits well.

A "duet" of Hoàng Hên – Xuân Son could fully become a formidable attacking option for the Vietnam national team. Beyond that, Hoàng Hên's presence also makes the national team more unpredictable tactically.

When Hoàng Hên plays as a supporting striker, Quang Hải or Văn Khang could be pushed to play as left-wing forwards. Conversely, if Quang Hải drops back to midfield, Hoàng Hên could fully play as a winger or operate as a second striker. That flexible interchange helps Coach Kim Sang Sik have more options in building the attacking system.

From another perspective, Hoàng Hên's appearance also creates positive competition within the national team. Domestic forwards like Tiến Linh or Tuấn Hải will have to strive harder to maintain their positions. In top-level football, competition is essential to maintain form and dedication.

More importantly, Hoàng Hên's story carries special spiritual significance. The desire to wear the Vietnam national team jersey and contribute to the national colors became reality for this player after completing naturalization procedures. His determination and love for Vietnamese football are the motivation for him to continue striving to prove himself.

If he maintains his current form, Hoàng Hên could fully become one of the key factors helping the Vietnam national team refresh its attack and create a new look in the coming period.