Malaysian media speak out about coach Kim Sang Sik’s 'black magic'

Malaysian media are buzzing over rumors that coach Kim Sang Sik employed “black magic” to lead Vietnam’s U23 squad to victory at SEA Games 33.

After Vietnam’s U22 team defeated Thailand 2-1 to claim the gold medal in men’s football at SEA Games 33, Malaysian media widely reported rumors that coach Kim Sang Sik used “black magic” to secure the team’s win.

The well-known sports site MakanBola wrote that while Vietnamese fans celebrated the historic gold medal, social media across the region was filled with comments suggesting “something strange” about how Vietnam’s U22 team played, especially in the final minutes of the championship match. Some opinions claimed the “team coached by Kim Sang Sik seemed magically empowered to make a spectacular comeback.”

However, faced with these rumors, coach Kim Sang Sik completely denied them during the post-tournament press conference: “There is no magic in football. If there is any miracle, it comes from the players’ effort, tears, and never-give-up spirit.”

According to MakanBola, Kim Sang Sik remained calm amid the speculation and even said that being called the “miracle team” is something to be proud of, as it recognizes the entire squad’s strong spirit.

The article also noted that although the “black magic” rumors are just side chatter, they reflect the powerful impact of Vietnam’s victory at the 2025 SEA Games, a feat that caught the whole region’s attention.

Currently, coach Kim Sang Sik and his players are beginning preparations for the 2026 AFC U23 Championship final stage, a tournament considered a crucial stepping stone to affirm the new status of Vietnamese youth football on the continental stage.

The Korean coach has set a clear goal for the Vietnam U23 team to advance as far as possible, not only to maintain the momentum after the SEA Games championship but also to prove that their recent success is not a “short-term miracle.”