Coach Kim Sang Sik: 'Vietnam's goal is to defend the championship'

Coach Kim Sang Sik stated that Vietnam's aim is to retain the ASEAN Cup championship, yet the immediate priority is to earn three points per game.

At the pre-match press conference for the opening match of the 2026 ASEAN Cup against Timor Leste, Coach Kim Sang Sik said: "Vietnam wants to perform its best in the opening game and in all subsequent matches. We will play with confidence and aim for victory against Timor Leste. Vietnam is the defending champion, so there is some pressure. The ASEAN Cup is not an easy tournament.

However, besides the pressure, we also have confidence. The players feel the weight of the title, so they will fight with the aim of defending the championship. We will prepare thoroughly and strive in every match to perform well throughout the tournament.

Vietnam has won the AFF Cup three times, and each triumph was very difficult. The previous tournament was the same, with every match full of challenges. The whole team has learned that to win, we need to play as a unit and give our all. In this tournament, I hope the players take control of the game and enjoy what they show on the field. That will also help us achieve better results. For now, the team will strive to earn three points in each match."

The Korean coach also emphasized: "Football always contains unexpected elements, so it's hard to predict anything. Coach Park Hang Seo has never successfully defended the title with Vietnam. However, what matters now is that we must give our best in every match to achieve the best results. Aiming for the championship is natural, but for now the whole team needs to focus on handling each match well."

Assessing the opponent Timor Leste, Coach Kim Sang Sik said: "We have studied Timor Leste very carefully. Vietnam brings many young players to the tournament, and so does Timor Leste. Timor Leste has abundant youthful energy and has made thorough tactical preparations to face Vietnam. However, we have also identified many weaknesses of the opponent and will take full advantage to win, thereby having a good start in the tournament."

According to the schedule, after the away trip to Thailand to face Timor Leste, the Vietnam team will return to Hanoi to host Singapore at My Dinh Stadium at 8:00 PM on July 31.

After that, Coach Kim Sang Sik and his players will go to Bogor city to play the next match against hosts Indonesia at 8:30 PM on August 3. In the final match of the group stage, Vietnam will face Cambodia at 8:00 PM on August 7 at My Dinh Stadium.