Coach Kim Sang Sik: "Xuan Son can play, Vietnam team must beat Laos"

“Tomorrow's match is the national team's last match in 2025, and is also an important match in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. Therefore, the whole team has prepared very carefully. The players are all in the best physical condition and I believe we will have a good match, bringing about positive results. We will try our best," coach Kim Sang Sik opened the press conference at Landmark Mekong Riverside Hotel (Laos). At 7:00 p.m. tomorrow (November 19), the Vietnamese team will play in Laos in the 5th match of the 2027 Asian Cup group stage.

HLV Kim Sang Sik: “Xuân Son có thể ra sân, tuyển Việt Nam phải thắng Lào” - 1 — Coach Kim Sang Sik (Photo: DA).

The Korean coach emphasized the 3-point target: “Although there is still a match against Malaysia ahead, winning tomorrow’s match is extremely important and will create a big boost for the upcoming journey. The whole team is in good shape, almost at 100%.”

Talking about the return of striker Nguyen Xuan Son, coach Kim Sang Sik sent his thanks to Nam Dinh Club: “I heard that Nam Dinh has encountered many difficulties without Xuan Son. I thank the club for taking care of him during the past time. Using Xuan Son is completely possible. He has undergone 10 months of injury treatment, and I am grateful to his family and those who have always been by his side. Xuan Son's return will help the team have more attacking options. I hope he will score to bring good news to Vietnamese fans.”

Coach Kim Sang Sik said he was very happy that Xuan Son had fully recovered and was ready to return to the team.

Regarding the training ground conditions, the head coach of the Vietnam national team said: “The training ground is not 100% as expected, but we still completed the training sessions well. The players practiced very seriously and this did not affect the preparation much. We will maintain our determination and focus fully on tomorrow's match.”

Also attending the pre-match press conference, central defender Do Duy Manh affirmed that the match against Laos is of great significance to him personally as well as the entire Vietnamese team. He said that the whole team is maintaining high concentration to execute the tactics set out by the coaching staff.

“Not only me but all the players are ready. Whoever is given the opportunity to play will try their best to bring about good results,” Duy Manh shared.

Talking about the goal, the center back of the Vietnamese team emphasized that the whole team is aiming for victory: "My goal as well as the team's is to win all 3 points in tomorrow's match. Everyone has prepared carefully to be able to play their best."