Coach Polking: Cao Quang Vinh and Adou Minh are very eager to join the national team, coach Kim Sang Sik will be satisfied

Coach Polking confirmed that Cao Quang Vinh and Adou Minh are very eager to wear the national team jersey. He believes that coach Kim Sang Sik will be satisfied with this defensive duo when they are ready to contribute to the journey to defend the ASEAN Cup 2026 title. From clean-sheet achievements at club level to the desire to dedicate themselves to the Fatherland, the defensive duo Cao Quang Vinh and Adou Minh are the center of attention ahead of the ASEAN Cup 2026. Coach Alexandre Polking of Hanoi Police Club (CAHN) has reserved special praise for his two students, while affirming they are ready to take on important roles if head coach Kim Sang Sik gives them the opportunity. According to information from CAHN, both players have shown impressive form in the police team's colors. Cao Quang Vinh, a left-back born in 2026, is a mainstay in defense and has international experience. Adou Minh, a center-back of Vietnamese descent, has just completed legal procedures to be eligible to wear the national team jersey. This opens up big opportunities for Vietnam's defense ahead of the regional tournament. Coach Polking said: 'Cao Quang Vinh and Adou Minh are both very eager to join the national team. They have shown that through every training session, through every match for CAHN. I believe coach Kim Sang Sik will be satisfied with them.' He also emphasized that adding these two players will strengthen squad depth and create healthy competition in defensive positions. Notable context: the ASEAN Cup 2026 will take place from November to December, coinciding with the first leg of the V-League 2026-2027 season. This poses a difficult problem for clubs in releasing players for the national team. At the ASEAN Cup 2026, CAHN pioneered releasing up to 6 players, despite the tournament not being in the FIFA Days calendar. This was a beautiful gesture, showing a patriotic spirit, and contributed significantly to Vietnam's historic championship. From a professional standpoint, adding Cao Quang Vinh at left-back and Adou Minh at center-back is logical. They complement each other and do not crowd each other out. Cao Quang Vinh has international experience, while Adou Minh brings physique, strength and good aerial ability—qualities honed through the French football training environment. If both are called up, they will fill two different positions in defense, creating healthy competition with current mainstays. However, I need to be cautious. A player who has just completed legal procedures—like Adou Minh—needs time to integrate into the tactical system and new teammates. Coach Kim Sang Sik will need to carefully assess his adaptability in the short period before the tournament. This is not a simple problem, but if solved, the national team's defense will have more quality options. In my view, Coach Polking's proactive public support for his two students is a strategic move. It not only creates positive pressure on coach Kim Sang Sik in considering call-ups but also sends a strong message about the dedication of CAHN players. The next key issue is the ability of new players to coordinate with current mainstays such as Bui Hoang Viet Anh, Do Duy Manh or Que Ngoc Hai. If coach Kim Sang Sik chooses a 4-defender formation, Cao Quang Vinh can compete for a starting spot at left-back. Adou Minh will be a quality backup option at center-back, a position that always requires solidity and stability. Another aspect to discuss: expectation pressure. Polking has publicly expected these two players to 'play important roles'. This creates invisible pressure on their shoulders. If they are called up and perform well, the story will be very beautiful. But if they cannot perform as expected, media pressure can become a burden. In the context of Vietnam preparing to defend the ASEAN Cup title, adding new quality elements will create healthy competition in the squad. Coach Kim Sang Sik will certainly have more choices, and that is always good for a team with big ambitions. Will Kim Sang Sik call them up in the upcoming training camp? Football always contains surprises, and the answer will come soon. But one thing is certain: their readiness is undeniable.