Mr. Kim still hasn't forgotten the incident of being 'dropped in the air' by his student: Oh, I'm so happy!

In an interview with Thanh Nien Newspaper, Coach Kim Sang-sik highly appreciated many factors of U.23 Vietnam, including a player he considered a special discovery.

Cong Phuong scores in U.23 Vietnam

In an online exchange with Thanh Nien Newspaper readers, Coach Kim Sang-sik recounted the emotional championship journey of U.23 Vietnam with many interesting details.

He and his students have carefully studied the playing style of each opponent, U.23 Laos, U.23 Cambodia, U.23 Philippines and U.23 Indonesia to find ways to counter them. However, any tactic needs good players to operate. In this year's tournament, coach Kim Sang-sik has harmoniously combined experienced players such as Dinh Bac, Van Truong, Ly Duc, Trung Kien, Van Khang... with new factors such as Xuan Bac, Cong Phuong, Anh Quan to create a winning formula.

Coach Kim Sang-sik answers readers of Thanh Nien Newspaper

PHOTO: TUAN MINH

Among them, Cong Phuong is the name that made coach Kim Sang-sik especially impressed, when he praised his student twice when answering an interview with Thanh Nien Newspaper. "Cong Phuong is a talented player. He has a very positive performance. I believe Cong Phuong will develop further, because this is a factor worth waiting for."

Then, he mentioned Cong Phuong among the potential players who could wear the Vietnam national team jersey. "U.23 Vietnam is still very young, with some players only turning 23 in a few years. My students are all of good quality. They completed their tasks well. In defense, Nhat Minh and Ly Duc played well. The wings were also quite good. The author of the only goal of the final match, Cong Phuong, was also very good.

All have progressed and matured. The future will be bright if they continue to hone their skills and train physically. Confidence will come if they ensure many professional things. I think the Vietnamese team will open the door for those who deserve it," Coach Kim Sang-sik confided to Thanh Nien Newspaper.

Watch the male gods of U.23 Vietnam just returned with the Southeast Asian championship

What did coach Kim Sang-sik say when his student... knocked him to the ground?

Coach Kim Sang-sik also recounted a funny situation after the final match, when he was thrown up by his students to celebrate, but then... "dropped" to the ground, causing him to grimace in pain. Mr. Kim said: "Oh, that situation was so quick and so funny that I didn't pay much attention. The players were just teasing their teacher a little."

Vietnam U.23 will gather again in mid-August to prepare for the 2026 AFC U.23 qualifiers taking place at Viet Tri Stadium ( Phu Tho Province). In Group C, coach Kim Sang-sik and his team will face Singapore U.23, Yemen U.23 and Bangladesh U.23.

Mr. Kim was thrown into the sky.

He grimaced in pain after the unexpected landing.

Coach Kim Sang-sik and his students prepare to embark on a new journey

PHOTO: TUAN MINH

In the 2024 AFC U23 Championship qualifiers two years ago, Vietnam U23 won a ticket to the finals as group leader. The team, led by coach Philippe Troussier, defeated Yemen U23 (1-0) and Guam U23 (6-0), and drew Singapore U23 (2-2). All three matches were also played at Viet Tri Stadium. This is also a stadium with a connection to Vietnamese youth football, as the national team, U23, and U17 levels have all played here and had results ranging from draws to wins.

Thanh Nien Newspaper asked Mr. Kim: "Will U.23 Vietnam maintain the same Southeast Asian champion squad, or will new players be added?". Coach Kim Sang-sik confirmed that he will meet with the coaching staff to continue looking for good players, including overseas Vietnamese who may be called up to prepare for the U.23 Asian qualifiers and SEA Games.

I am very satisfied with the players in the past, both physically and mentally. From now on, my coaching staff and I will continue to look for new factors to create a new breeze for U.23 Vietnam. Regarding potential overseas Vietnamese players such as Thanh Chung, Julien Nguyen, Brandon Ly... I have not seen them live, only through video, so we are in the process of researching. Regarding strategy, my coaching staff and I will go through meetings with VFF to find new solutions to serve the national team."

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ong-kim-van-chua-quen-su-co-bi-hoc-tro-danh-roi-tren-khong-oi-toi-qua-vui-185250731130256495.htm