Coach Kim Sang Sik sets a new milestone with the Vietnam National Team

Coach Kim Sang Sik achieved a win in his debut game with the Vietnam National Team at Thong Nhat Stadium.

The Vietnam team won 1-0 against Nepal in the second leg of the final round of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. Although they earned 3 points, the performance was unsatisfactory to fans since the players showed a less convincing display against Nepal, who were considered weaker in every aspect.

Nevertheless, this victory marks a new milestone for Coach Kim Sang Sik as it was his first time leading the Vietnam National Team at Thong Nhat Stadium, securing a full 3 points. Previously, he had experienced home games at My Dinh, Viet Tri, and Binh Duong stadiums.

According to the official announcement from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Nepal chose Thong Nhat Stadium as their home ground for the second leg against Vietnam. Initially, the match was scheduled to take place in Nepal, but due to unavoidable reasons, the Nepal Football Association (ANFA) proposed relocating to Ho Chi Minh City, which the AFC approved.

This was also the first time in three years that the Vietnam team returned to Thong Nhat Stadium since September 2022, when Coach Park Hang Seo led the team in the Hung Thinh Friendly Tournament against Singapore and India. Thong Nhat Stadium is regarded as a lucky venue, as Vietnam won both friendlies there and claimed the championship.

The schedule was also favorable for Vietnam as both legs against Nepal were played on home soil, with the first leg held at Binh Duong Stadium on October 9, 2025. Not having to travel to Nepal helped the players maintain good physical condition and facilitated tactical preparations. Ultimately, Vietnam won both matches.

After four matches in Group F, Vietnam has three wins and one loss, currently ranking second with 9 points. In November, Coach Kim Sang Sik’s team will visit Laos before hosting Malaysia in the final match in March 2026.