Strong belief, more motivation to strive.

VHO - The SEA Games 33 gold medal in Thailand has helped Vietnamese football complete a "hat-trick of championships" in 2025, after the national team won the ASEAN Cup 2024 and the Vietnam U23 team became champions of the Southeast Asian U23 Championship 2025.

These achievements not only affirm the position of Vietnamese football in the regional arena but also provide great motivation and confidence for coach Kim Sang-sik and his team to aim for continental competitions in 2026.

The SEA Games 33 gold medal and the successes in 2025 will be the motivation for coach Kim Sang-sik and the Vietnamese football teams to aim for bigger competitions in 2026. Photo: DUC DONG

Courage creates glory.

In early January, the Vietnamese national team displayed exceptional composure to defeat the Thai national team 3-2 (aggregate score after two legs was 5-3) right in the Rajamangala Stadium to win the ASEAN Cup 2024.

Towards the end of 2025, the Vietnam U22 team replicated the achievement of their predecessors. Also at Rajamangala Stadium, Dinh Bac and his teammates demonstrated unwavering resilience by coming from behind to win 3-2 against Thailand U22 and claim the SEA Games 33 gold medal.

Sandwiched between these two achievements is the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship title in July. Coach Kim Sang-sik's team demonstrated the mettle of champions by defeating host Indonesia 1-0 in the final to win the tournament for the third consecutive time. In all three tournaments, Coach Kim Sang-sik's players achieved dramatic victories away from home, under immense pressure from the home teams' stands. These victories were not only impressive in terms of score but also affirmed the class, character, and unwavering desire for glory of the Vietnamese players.

Three championships, three away final victories, three times overcoming immense pressure – all of this made 2025 a memorable year. Under the guidance of coach Kim Sang-sik, Vietnamese national football teams are no longer just known for their fighting spirit, but also for their maturity in tactical thinking and mental fortitude. They know how to control the game, adapt to circumstances, and, most importantly, are not afraid to face disadvantages.

The "treble" in 2025 is therefore no coincidence. It is the result of a well-structured process, from youth training to a unified tactical approach at all levels.

More importantly, it shows that the desire to win has become the "DNA of Vietnamese football," a desire strong enough to help players stand firm against adversity and shine even on the opponent's field. Looking ahead to 2025, fans have every right to be proud and confident. Vietnamese football is not only winning, but winning in the way of true champions: with courage, resilience, and never giving up.

Preparation for the continental arena

With the ASEAN Cup 2024 championship, the U23 Southeast Asian Championship 2025 title, and now the SEA Games 33 gold medal, Coach Kim Sang-sik has had an incredibly successful year in 2025 with the Vietnamese national football teams. Coach Kim Sang-sik has also made history in Vietnamese and Southeast Asian football as the first coach to win three tournaments with three different national teams in a single year.

Three major titles at three different levels not only reflect the coaching talent of the South Korean strategist, but also demonstrate the stability and consistency in his team-building philosophy and his ability to strongly inspire his players.

These achievements will be a great motivation for the 49-year-old coach to continue leading the Vietnamese national football teams towards continental competitions in 2026 with the belief in new successes.

In early January 2026, coach Kim Sang-sik and his players will face a formidable challenge at the 2026 AFC U23 Championship, a tournament bringing together the continent's top youth teams. Based on their performance so far, the Vietnam U23 team has every reason to be confident, not only in gaining experience but also aiming for even greater milestones.

Next, the Vietnamese national team also faces a crucial match against Malaysia in the final qualifying round of the 2027 Asian Cup in March. This is considered a "life-or-death" match, directly determining their chances of participating in the continent's biggest tournament. The experience gained from their high-stakes victories in 2025 will be invaluable, helping coach Kim Sang-sik's team to be more confident as they face this challenge.

Furthermore, defending their ASEAN Cup title in 2026 presents a significant challenge. Maintaining their current position is difficult, but defending the championship is even more so. However, with a rejuvenated squad, strong cohesion between the lines, a clear tactical imprint, and especially the talent of coach Kim Sang-sik, the Vietnamese national team is fully confident in achieving this goal.

2025 was a fulfilling year, but that's not the end. For Coach Kim Sang-sik and his players, the titles they've won are the motivation to continue conquering new heights. Many challenges lie ahead, but the fans' faith is stronger than ever, as Vietnamese football now has a coach with the courage, ambition, and vision to lead it to the future.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/vung-niem-tin-them-dong-luc-phan-dau-191145.html