Coach Kim Sang Sik explains the hard-fought victory against Laos

Coach Kim Sang Sik pointed out the reasons why the Vietnamese team played poorly and had a hard-fought 2-0 victory over host Laos on the evening of November 19.

Vietnam beat Laos 2-0 with goals from Xuan Son and Tuan Hai, but this was a very difficult match for the "Golden Star Warriors".

Evaluating the match, coach Kim Sang Sik said: "This is the last match of 2025 for the Vietnamese team and we won, so I am very happy. I would like to send my most sincere thanks to the players, especially the fans who came to Laos to cheer.

We had a difficult start and we couldn't keep the ball, which has to be improved. But the three points are the most important thing. Sometimes we don't play well but we still get three points."

Coach Kim Sang Sik affirmed that 3 points are the most important. Photo: Hai Hoang

Explaining the Vietnam team's deadlocked play despite a 5-0 win in the first leg, coach Kim Sang Sik said: "I wanted to try a different tactical formation. Specifically, I used a 4-defender formation with the intention of making the team play more offensively. But the performance was not as good as expected, everything needs time to improve.

We analyzed the Laos team very carefully and prepared well. However, from training to actual competition is very different. But my players are very patient and continue to move forward."

Meanwhile, striker Xuan Son shared his feelings after scoring a goal to mark his return to the Vietnamese team: "I don't want to talk too much about myself, the most important thing is the victory for the team.

We had a difficult start and didn't keep the ball well. But the important thing is to win. Sometimes we don't play well as a team, but getting three points is the most important thing."

Xuan Son and his teammates celebrate the goal. Photo: Hai Hoang

Talking about the goal he scored, Xuan Son said: "In the penalty situation, I discussed and we asked Hoang Duc if he wanted to take it. But everyone prioritized the right to take the penalty for me, so that I could score my first goal after nearly a year of absence due to injury.

Everyone supported and cheered me on a lot. I thank everyone, thank the fans for cheering and accompanying the Vietnamese team."

Video of Vietnam 1-0 Laos (source VTV):

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/hlv-kim-sang-sik-ly-giai-tran-thang-kho-nhoc-truoc-lao-2464469.html