South Korean Media: Vietnam National Team Deserves to Be Southeast Asia's Number One, but Coach Kim Sang Sik Still Has Major Challenges

The 4-0 win by Vietnam against Myanmar, along with U23 Vietnam being placed in the top seed group for the 2026 Asian Games, has brought Coach Kim Sang Sik numerous accolades from South Korean media. Nonetheless, South Korean journalists point out that Vietnam still has a lot to accomplish, especially fixing defensive vulnerabilities before the ASEAN Cup defense campaign begins.

According to Aju News, Vietnamese football under Coach Kim Sang Sik is experiencing both achievements and challenges that need addressing. The national team defeated Myanmar 4-0, boosting their confidence in preparation for the ASEAN Cup, while the U23 team secured a top seed in men's football at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, gaining an advantage ahead of the draw. However, behind the emphatic victory lie issues with defensive organization, and at the Asian Games, the possibility of being placed in a tough group remains real.

The U23 Vietnam team has been placed in the top seed group for the men's football draw at the 2026 Asian Games. The Vietnam Olympic team shares a group with host Japan, China, and South Korea, thereby avoiding these teams in the group stage. This is seen as a favorable condition that helps Coach Kim Sang Sik reduce pressure in the early stages of the tournament.

However, being a top seed does not guarantee an easy group. The second seed group includes Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Thailand, while the third seed group consists of Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Qatar, and the Philippines. If Vietnam is drawn into the same group as Uzbekistan or Saudi Arabia, and also faces Iran or Qatar, the team will face immense pressure right from the group stage.

Coach Kim Sang Sik's plan for the Asian Games targets a dual objective: achieving immediate results while preparing for a generational transition. The U23 Vietnam team is expected to train in Japan with a core of U21 players. This is seen as part of a long-term strategy aimed at the 2027 SEA Games, the 2028 AFC U23 Asian Cup, and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics qualifiers. The Vietnam Football Federation and Coach Kim Sang Sik have also left open the possibility of adding some experienced U23 players to balance the young squad.

At the national team level, the 4-0 victory over Myanmar provided a significant morale boost for Coach Kim Sang Sik's squad. In the friendly match at Thái Nguyên Stadium, Xuân Son, Xuân Mạnh, Hoàng Hên, and Đình Bắc found the net. After a training camp in South Korea, the team's attacking play became more coherent, and having four different goal scorers highlights the increasing diversity of their offensive options.

Thai media also took note of Vietnam's performance. Shortly after the match against Myanmar, the newspaper Krian Buriram published an article titled: "Vietnam National Team is Too Strong, Deserving of the Southeast Asia Number One Title." The paper noted that Vietnam fielded its strongest lineup, including key players and three Brazilian-origin footballers, and that the convincing victory ahead of a major tournament demonstrated the team's strength.

The opposing coach also acknowledged Vietnam's superiority. After the match, Myanmar's coach Jörn Andersen stated that Vietnam was too strong, while his team still had much to learn. Overall, this victory helped Vietnam refine their tactical preparations and also boosted their psychological confidence.

However, for Coach Kim Sang Sik, the match against Myanmar was more about testing the squad than confirming perfection. Despite the overwhelming scoreline, Vietnam still exposed gaps in their defensive system when opponents countered. Particularly at the end of the first half, the midfield pushed forward but failed to drop back in time, leaving spaces in front of the three-man defense and on the flanks that were exploited.

This issue could become a greater burden at the ASEAN Cup finals. Myanmar lacked the individual quality and finishing ability to capitalize on those opportunities, but Indonesia, Thailand, or Malaysia are opponents that can turn even a minor mistake into a goal. Therefore, Coach Kim Sang Sik and his coaching staff need to analyze footage to improve team shape and transition speed.

Coach Kim Sang Sik's tasks are now very clear. With the national team, he must prove the region's top status through tangible results, while with the U23 team, he needs to help young players mature on the international stage. On one side is the goal of defending the ASEAN Cup title, and on the other is building a foundation for the Asian Games and the journey toward Olympic qualifiers.

Currently, Vietnamese football stands between praise and caution. Being seeded first and achieving a 4-0 victory are clear accomplishments under Coach Kim Sang Sik, but the defensive organization and the team's performance against strong opponents still need to be tested. The real challenge for Coach Kim Sang Sik will begin once the echoes of the emphatic victory fade away.

Meanwhile, the men's football event at the 2026 Asian Games will take place from September 15 to October 3 in Osaka, Toyota, Nagoya, and Kariya. With growing expectations for both the national team and the U23 side, Coach Kim Sang Sik will have to shoulder two tasks simultaneously: achieving immediate results and preparing for the future.