Coach Kim Sang-sik reveals a truth, ensuring the most important thing at AFF Cup

Why train in Korea?

To prepare for the AFF Cup 2024, the Vietnamese team will have a 10-day training trip in Gyeongju (South Korea). This is considered an important training trip as well as the final rehearsal of coach Kim Sang-sik before competing in the biggest regional tournament at the team level.

When asked about the reason for choosing Korea as the training location, the captain of the Vietnamese team shared: “We once thought about the option of training in Southeast Asian countries, but if we train there, finding new players will not be easy. On the contrary, Korea is a familiar country to me and here, the Vietnamese team can easily find new players for friendly matches. I know that Korea is in the cold season, but the training location has a dome artificial turf field. That is a plus for this training session because it can help the players maintain maximum concentration. In addition, if talking about nutrition for the players, I know that everyone loves Korean food. Therefore, I considered carefully and chose the location here.”

HLV Kim Sang-sik tiết lộ một sự thật, đảm bảo điều cực quan trọng ở AFF Cup- Ảnh 1. — The Vietnamese team has positive results during the training trip in Korea.

During the training period in Korea, in addition to strengthening the players' physical strength, Coach Kim Sang-sik and his colleagues focused on perfecting tactics. At the same time, the "Golden Star Warriors" had 3 practice matches and won all of them: beating Ulsan Citizen 2-0, beating Daegu 2-0 and beating Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 3-1.

Coach Kim Sang-sik pointed out the positives: “Before coming here, my goal was to innovate and develop the team in the following aspects: First, the ability to attack and defend the entire field. Second, the skills of each individual. Third, physical strength and finally, sustainable connection.

I know the players have not been able to fully absorb the ideology and philosophy set forth by the coaching staff, but they always try to learn, absorb and do their best on the training ground. I feel that the players are improving every day in terms of tactics, fitness and individual techniques. Currently, I think the players have reached 80% of the requirements."

HLV Kim Sang-sik tiết lộ một sự thật, đảm bảo điều cực quan trọng ở AFF Cup- Ảnh 2. — Coach Kim Sang-sik assessed that the players had completed 80% of the coaching staff's requirements.

Guaranteed not to disappoint fans

At the 2024 AFF Cup, the Vietnamese team is in Group B with opponents Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, and the Philippines. Experts say that if they play to their full potential, coach Kim Sang-sik and his team can completely finish the group stage in one of the top two positions. Furthermore, playing well in the group stage will help the Vietnamese team have a favorable psychological momentum to advance to the final match, completing the goal set by the VFF of reaching the final.

“In the little time left, we will prepare our strategies well. The players and I understand the love of football of the Vietnamese people very well. We will ensure to meet everyone's expectations with good results at the AFF Cup 2024. We need everyone's support,” coach Kim Sang-sik emphasized.

HLV Kim Sang-sik tiết lộ một sự thật, đảm bảo điều cực quan trọng ở AFF Cup- Ảnh 3. — Coach Kim Sang-sik affirmed that the Vietnamese team will not disappoint fans.

After returning from Korea, the Vietnamese team is currently training in Viet Tri ( Phu Tho ). It is expected that tomorrow morning (December 6), the team will leave for Laos to prepare for the opening match in Group B of the AFF Cup 2024 against the host country's team (8:00 p.m. on December 9).