Coach Kim Sang-sik is ready to face the pressure, officially eliminating 5 U.23 Vietnam players

CLEAR GOALS

Since coming to work in Vietnam, Coach Kim Sang-sik has continuously achieved many successes. He helped the Vietnamese team reclaim the AFF Cup 2024 title, maintain the No. 1 position in Southeast Asia for the U.23 Vietnam team, and then win a ticket to the 2025 AFC U23 Championship. When fans are getting used to the feeling of victory, the pressure on Coach Kim Sang-sik is even greater. He admitted: "I have been in Vietnam for a year and a half and this is the first time I have attended a SEA Games. I am quite nervous, but also excited to wait. The players and I will try to achieve the best results in this tournament."

Coach Kim Sang-sik set a specific goal: "In the short term, we want to pass the group stage. Regarding the two opponents, U.23 Laos and Malaysia, I think the Laos team is a bit weaker. However, I still have to prepare carefully to get the best results. Besides, we will closely monitor the Laos - Malaysia match and analyze Malaysia carefully, from there come up with appropriate tactics to win. We will also try to score many goals in the match against Laos to have an advantage over Malaysia."

Coach Kim Sang-sik 'lost sleep' before joining U.23 Vietnam at SEA Games

HLV Kim Sang-sik sẵn sàng đương đầu áp lực, chính thức loại 5 cầu thủ U.23 Việt Nam- Ảnh 1. — Coach Kim Sang-sik happily answered questions before the afternoon practice session of November 28 of the U.23 Vietnam team at Ba Ria Stadium (HCMC).

The match schedule is considered to be very favorable for coach Kim Sang-sik and his team. Facing a weaker opponent on the opening day is an advantage because the players always need time to get into the rhythm and get into the groove. At the same time, coach Kim Sang-sik also has the right to "hide his cards". After that, the U.23 Vietnam team will have a week off, while the U.23 Malaysia team will have to play 2 matches within 5 days. The advantage in terms of physical strength and preparation for the important match is clearly on the side of the young "Golden Star Warriors".

Well-founded confidence

On Ba Ria Stadium, Coach Kim Sang-sik smiled a lot, appearing very relaxed as the 33rd SEA Games was getting closer. During the coordination exercises of the U.23 Vietnam team, he did not need to pause to remind, many times clapping and praising his students for handling the ball well. He affirmed that the U.23 Vietnam team is in good physical condition, there are no injuries and the preparation process is going very well.

HLV Kim Sang-sik sẵn sàng đương đầu áp lực, chính thức loại 5 cầu thủ U.23 Việt Nam- Ảnh 2. — On November 29, Mr. Kim will finalize the list of 23 players.

In terms of squad depth, in each position, the U.23 Vietnam team has at least 2 very high-quality players. In goal, Trung Kien (HAGL) plays prominently, but Van Binh (SLNA) also performed impressively in the recent CFA China Team 2025 friendly tournament. Ly Duc - Nhat Minh - Hieu Minh is a popular trio of central defenders, but caution is needed because Van Ha, Tuan Phong, Duc Anh or even Quang Kiet are always ready to replace. In the 2 full-back positions, coach Kim Sang-sik has 4 dangerous players: Phi Hoang, Van Khang (left wing) and Anh Quan, Minh Phuc (right wing). In the midfield, Thai Son, Xuan Bac, Quoc Cuong, Duc Viet, Cong Phuong, Thanh Trung are competing fiercely. The attacking force is even thicker with a series of stars such as Dinh Bac, Vi Hao, Thanh Nhan, Le Viktor, Van Thuan, Ngoc My, Quoc Viet.

HLV Kim Sang-sik sẵn sàng đương đầu áp lực, chính thức loại 5 cầu thủ U.23 Việt Nam- Ảnh 3. — U.23 Vietnam will move to Thailand on December 1st.

Those things brought a "pleasant headache" to coach Kim Sang-sik. He said: "As a coach, choosing the last 23 players to attend the 33rd SEA Games (removing 5 players) was really difficult. I lost sleep thinking about finding the best squad to attend the SEA Games. I want to bring all the players, they are practicing and living hard. I try to be careful and find the best squad to announce." In the last training session (today), the U.23 Vietnam team will divide the squad into opposing teams so that coach Kim Sang-sik can choose the most suitable names.

With a strong force and equal quality in all three lines, U.23 Vietnam can maintain a high intensity of competition and be ready to deal with any scenario at SEA Games 33. Obviously, Coach Kim Sang-sik is holding quality players and favorable conditions to realize the dream of SEA Games 33 gold, helping U.23 Vietnam close 2025 perfectly, and at the same time have more motivation to explode at the U.23 Asian Cup in early 2026.