Korean coach leads Vietnam to top ASEAN football title

Korean coach Kim Sang-sik has guided Vietnam to their second consecutive victory at the prestigious ASEAN football tournament. In the final of the ASEAN Hyundai Cup, Vietnam triumphed over Thailand with an aggregate score of 4-2. The decisive encounter was played in Hanoi, with Vietnam emerging victorious in the opening leg 2-0 in Bangkok on Saturday. The teams then drew 2-2 in the Vietnamese capital on Wednesday.

This marked the 16th edition of the biennial tournament, with Hyundai Motor serving as the title sponsor. It also represented Vietnam's fourth overall title and their third under a Korean head coach. Previous Korean coaches include Park Hang-seo in 2018 and Kim Sang-sik in 2024 and 2026. Kim, who also oversees Vietnam's under-23 national team, led the country to the ASEAN U-23 Championship title and a gold medal at the Southeast Asian Games in 2025.

Vietnam's senior team has displayed remarkable consistency, going undefeated in a country-record 26 matches. They achieved this feat through 22 wins and four draws. In the crucial final match, Vietnam conceded an early goal in the 12th minute, but narrowly avoided conceding again in the 48th minute when Kakana Khamyok's penalty was saved.