Korean coach leads Vietnam to top ASEAN football title

Korean coach Kim Sang-sik has guided Vietnam to their second consecutive victory at the top Southeast Asian men's football tournament, the ASEAN Hyundai Cup. The 16th edition of the biennial competition concluded recently in Hanoi. Vietnam emerged triumphant in the final, defeating Thailand 4-2 on aggregate after winning the first leg 2-0 in Bangkok and drawing 2-2 in Hanoi the following day.

This was the first ASEAN Hyundai Cup held with Hyundai Motor as the title sponsor. It marked Vietnam's fourth overall title and their third under a Korean head coach. Park Hang-seo led Vietnam to victory in 2018, while Kim achieved success in 2024 and 2026. Kim is also in charge of Vietnam's under-23 national team, which clinched the ASEAN U-23 Championship title and a gold medal at the Southeast Asian Games in 2025.

Vietnam's senior team has now gone 26 matches unbeaten, with 22 wins and four draws. In Wednesday's final, Vietnam conceded the first goal in the 12th minute but narrowly avoided defeat in the 48th minute when Kakana Khamyok missed a penalty kick.