Korean coach for Vietnam men's national football team eyes historic World Cup berth

Korean football tactician Kim Sang-sik, who has led Vietnam to their second consecutive Southeast Asian men's football title, has expressed his ambition to bring the national team to the FIFA World Cup for the first time. Kim made these comments in an interview with Korean media via a Zoom call, following Vietnam's victory in the ASEAN Hyundai Cup. The decisive match of the two-legged final saw Vietnam defeating Thailand 4-2 on aggregate, with a 2-0 triumph in Bangkok and a 2-2 draw in Hanoi.

Kim expressed his gratitude towards his players for their trust during the past two months. He credited the team's success to the enthusiastic support from Vietnamese fans, who filled the stadiums and provided encouragement throughout their matches. Kim's coaching career with Vietnam includes leading the U-23 national team to the ASEAN U-23 Championship title and a gold medal at the Southeast Asian Games in 2025.

Under Kim's guidance, Vietnam's senior team has maintained an impressive streak of 26 consecutive matches without a loss, achieving 22 victories and four draws. When asked about any secret ingredients to their success, Kim remained tight-lipped.