Coach Kim Sang Sik 'unleashes' attack in ASEAN Cup opener

Vietnam's first opponent in the 2026 ASEAN Cup is Timor Leste, considered weaker, but the match at Chonburi Stadium at 20:30 on July 24 still holds special significance.

This is not only the start of the title defense journey but also an opportunity for Coach Kim Sang Sik and his team to assert their regional top status with a convincing victory.

Defending a title is always much harder than the journey to win it. After the championshipASEAN Cupmost recently, the Vietnam national team enters this year's tournament as the defending champions and also the top candidate for the throne.

That means all opponents will study them more carefully, play with more determination, and wait for every mistake of the squadCoach Kim Sang Sik. Therefore, even though Timor Leste is rated much lower, this is still a match where Vietnam needs to win beautifully, decisively, and with a convincing style of play.

Coach Kim Sang Sik's caution in the pre-match press conference shows he does not underestimate the opponent. The South Korean coach affirmed: "We have done thorough research on this opponent. We have also identified many of their weaknesses and will exploit them to the fullest, in order to secure a victory and a good start."

In modern football, complacency always comes at a cost. Timor Leste may not be able to compete with Vietnam in squad quality, but they still have the desire to create a surprise. Coach Jose Pedro himself declared that his team did not come to the tournament just to participate but to "make their own mark."

The Vietnam national team currently possesses a squad rated among the strongest in Southeast Asia with enviable depth. The preparation process was nearly perfect with a training camp in South Korea and consecutive victories in friendly matches.

Gone is the image of a Vietnam team that only prioritized safety and waited for counterattack opportunities like in previous years. Coach Kim Sang Sik is building a team ready to attack from the start. Xuan Son, Hoang Hen, Tai Loc, Dinh Bac, Hai Long are all given opportunities to create multiple approaches to goal.

The simultaneous use of Hoang Duc and Quang Hai as playmaking midfielders, with almost no pure defensive midfielder, shows that Coach Kim is willing to sacrifice to increase attacking pressure.

Even the two wide center-backs like Xuan Manh or Nhat Minh often push forward to support, leaving only Thanh Chung as the anchor alongside goalkeeper Patrik Le Giang. That is a lineup imbued with attacking mentality and likely to appear again against Timor Leste.

It's not hard to understand Coach Kim Sang Sik's intentions.ASEAN Cupalways witnesses many opponents choosing mass defense. To defend the title, Vietnam not only needs three points but also must possess many ways to break through those "concrete blocks."

The constant experimentation with wing attacks, central routes, small combinations, and set pieces is precisely the preparation for bigger challenges named Indonesia or Singapore.

In Group A, Timor Leste is clearly not a direct competitor. The two matches against Singapore and Indonesia are decisive for the race to top the group. Therefore, a big win over Timor Leste will help Vietnam gain an advantage in goal difference, while also allowing rotation of the squad when necessary while maintaining control.

SEE INFORMATION ABOUT ASEAN CUP 2026 HERE