As many experts have noted, coach Kim Sang-sik is gradually shaping his own image, slowly escaping the enormous shadow that his predecessor Park Hang-seo cast over Vietnamese football.
Before coming to Vietnam at the end of 2024, Coach Kim Sang-sik was not among the "glamorous" coaches who frequently attract the attention of the Korean media. However, he was always highly regarded by experts for his work efficiency and composure in big matches. The Korean media often described Kim Sang-sik as "a coach who knows how to win, organizes the team well but doesn't show off his philosophy."
Upon arriving in Vietnam, pressure was inevitable for him, as his predecessor, Park Hang-seo, had already built a huge legacy with a series of impressive achievements, from winning the AFF Cup and SEA Games to finishing as runners-up in the 2018 AFC U23 Championship. In that continental tournament, the Vietnamese U23 team caused a sensation by finishing as runners-up, making Coach Park Hang-seo's name famous not only in Vietnam but also in South Korea.
However, after just over a year in charge, coach Kim Sang-sik has achieved a series of successes far exceeding initial expectations. In early 2025, he led the Vietnamese national team to victory in the 2024 ASEAN Cup in Thailand – a title that quickly earned the South Korean strategist the trust of fans with his disciplined, pragmatic, yet effective playing style. In mid-2025, the U23 Vietnamese team continued their winning streak, securing the Southeast Asian U23 Championship with a perfect record, before winning the gold medal at the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand, a cauldron where the pressure of playing away from home is always a major challenge for any team.
The real turning point came at the 2026 AFC U23 Championship in Saudi Arabia. Vietnam's U23 team won 5 out of 6 matches, overcoming formidable opponents such as the UAE U23, Saudi Arabia U23, and especially South Korea U23 to secure third place. The victory against South Korea U23 after 120 tense minutes and a perfect 7-6 penalty shootout was the strongest affirmation of the character and mental depth of coach Kim Sang-sik's team.
Under the guidance of coach Kim Sang-sik, the Vietnam U23 team has presented a very positive image. Unlike their previous image of "waiting patiently for opportunities," relying on opponents' mistakes, Kim's team plays fairly, attacks beautifully, and with a high tempo. The quick, precise passing sequences, even under immense pressure from physically superior opponents, demonstrate the modern footballing mindset of the entire team.
Therefore, the success with the Vietnam U23 team and the Vietnam national team in recent times is essentially a continuation and enhancement of the capabilities that Coach Kim Sang-sik demonstrated in South Korea. The difference is that in Vietnam, he displays a more flexible and attack-oriented style, moving beyond the "pragmatic" image previously associated with him.
More importantly, the achievements and performance of the Vietnam U23 team at the 2026 AFC U23 Championship also marked a milestone that helped Kim Sang-sik truly step out of the shadow of his predecessor, Park Hang-seo. If Coach Park Hang-seo laid the foundation with belief and an "unyielding" spirit, Coach Kim Sang-sik continued with a distinctive tactical style, proactiveness, and a desire to assert his class on the continental stage.
In many of his statements, Coach Kim Sang-sik has said that he doesn't want to be a version of Coach Park Hang-seo and only wants to treat the players like an older brother to his younger siblings. Therefore, people saw "big brother" Kim Sang-sik readily dancing hip hop when he led the Vietnamese national team to victory in the ASEAN Cup 2024. "I just want the players to see me as an older brother," Coach Kim Sang-sik once shared. And that has been his consistent approach at all levels of the Vietnamese national team to create a close relationship with the players. This makes them feel secure and comfortable sharing anything with their coach.
Football expert Phan Anh Tú also acknowledges that coach Kim Sang-sik has truly left his mark on Vietnamese football in his own way. Most importantly, the effectiveness of the teams he has led has truly convinced experts and fans alike.
Before the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026, Coach Kim Sang-sik shared his desire to lead the Vietnamese national team, with many players who matured from the 2026 U23 Asian Championship, towards the ultimate goal of qualifying for the World Cup. If that becomes a reality, it will be a new milestone for Vietnamese football. Therefore, the bronze medal at the 2026 U23 Asian Championship is not the end, but the beginning of a new chapter bearing the strong imprint of Coach Kim Sang-sik, and further demonstrating the affinity of Vietnamese football with coaches from South Korea.
Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/dau-an-kim-sang-sik-734296.html
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