Why didn't coach Kim Sang-sik celebrate?

Coach Kim Sang-sik didn't show much emotion, and even a hint of sadness appeared on his face after Vietnam U23 defeated South Korea U23 in the third-place match of the 2026 AFC U23 Championship.

Coach Kim bowed slightly as Vietnam U23 defeated South Korea U23.

When the penalty shootout ended, the King Abdullah Sport City stadium erupted in emotion. The Vietnamese U23 players hugged each other, the coaching staff rushed to the sidelines, and the stands glowed red with prolonged cheers.

Amidst that scene, coach Kim Sang-sik remained silent. He didn't raise his hands in celebration, didn't run towards his players, but simply bowed his head slightly, his gaze somber, as if he were withdrawn into a very private moment.

That image quickly attracted attention. Many wondered why the head of the Vietnamese U23 coaching staff chose such a different reaction after a historic victory. But for Kim Sang-sik, that calmness wasn't indifference, but rather an expression of multi-layered emotions.

On the other side of the battlefield is the U23 South Korean team, his homeland. Coach Kim grew up and spent his entire playing career and early years as a coach in his home country.

The victory of the Vietnam U23 team also meant sadness for his colleagues, the young players who share the same blood and the same flag that he always cherished. In such circumstances, joy could hardly be complete.

Coach Kim's silence therefore carries more meaning than just a superficial gesture. It is a sign of respect, a return to his roots, and also the composure of a coach who understands that football is not just about winning and losing, but also about how people confront their own emotions.

Highlights U23 Vietnam 2-2 (7-6) U23 South Korea. In the early morning of January 24th, U23 Vietnam and U23 South Korea competed in the third-place match of the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Championship.

Source: https://znews.vn/vi-sao-hlv-kim-sang-sik-khong-an-mung-post1622434.html