Coach Kim Sang Sik and the Glorious Year of 2025: The Epic Tale of Vietnamese Football

The year 2025 signifies a historic moment when Coach Kim Sang Sik guided Vietnamese football to regional supremacy by winning three major titles, proving his genius coaching and outstanding determination.

The year 2025 will be recorded in the annals of Vietnamese football as one of its brightest chapters, and the author of these historic pages is none other than Coach Kim Sang Sik. After a challenging transition period, the Korean coach proved that patience and sound tactics can create true "miracles." From the early days of his tenure amid doubts, Kim quietly built a new empire that exploded spectacularly in 2025 with a historic treble at the regional level. This achievement is not only a numerical victory but also a firm assertion of Vietnam’s top position in Southeast Asia.

The Historic Treble: When the King Returns

The Most Remarkable Mark of Coach Kim Sang Sik is conquering all three major regional football titles within a single calendar year, a feat rarely achieved by any strategist.

Starting the new year with great enthusiasm, Coach Kim Sang Sik led the Vietnam national team to the top at the AFF Cup 2024 (which concluded in early January 2025). A thrilling victory over their fierce rival Thailand in the second leg final at the Rajamangala Stadium helped Vietnam reclaim the crown after six years of waiting. The image of Coach Kim celebrating emotionally with his players in Bangkok was the signal for a peak year of success.

Not stopping there, in July 2025, the 1976-born strategist continued to lead the young U23 team to successfully defend their championship at the U23 Southeast Asia Championship 2025. With a pragmatic yet dynamic style, U23 Vietnam dominated the tournament in Indonesia, turning it into their own stage.

The pinnacle of his coaching career last year was the Gold Medal at the 33rd SEA Games in December 2025. In a dramatic final, despite trailing 0-2, his composure and brilliant substitutions helped U22 Vietnam come back to win 3-2 against Thailand. This gold medal completed his impressive trophy collection, making Kim Sang Sik the first coach to achieve a regional treble in a single season.

Flexible Tactics and Human Insight

Coach Kim Sang Sik’s success is no accident. It results from a modern football philosophy emphasizing discipline and unity. He never confines the team to a fixed formation but makes flexible adjustments according to opponents. Under his guidance, players who seemed to have reached their limits like Pham Tuan Hai and Nguyen Quang Hai rediscovered themselves, while young talents like Dinh Bac and Thanh Nhan shone brightly at the right moment.

Especially, Kim’s ability to read the game matured greatly in 2025. His substitutions in key matches at the SEA Games and AFF Cup often led to decisive goals. His calmness on the bench inspired confidence in the players, helping them stay composed in critical moments.

A Well-Deserved Tribute to the "Best Foreign Expert"

With tireless contributions, Coach Kim Sang Sik was honored as the "Best Foreign Expert of 2025" at the Victory Cup Gala. This recognition is well-deserved for a mentor who regards Vietnam as his second home. He not only teaches players how to play football but also instills the spirit of "sweat, tears, and honor," the core values that define the strength of the Golden Star warriors.

Besides titles, leading U23 Vietnam through the qualifiers to the 2026 AFC U23 Championship finals is another significant highlight. This shows Kim’s focus is not only on short-term success but also on building a solid foundation for the future of Vietnamese football on the continental stage.

Closing the year 2025, Coach Kim Sang Sik has excellently fulfilled the mission of restoring Vietnam’s football status in the region. From a "valley" full of doubts, he brought the team back to the top with a distinctive and passionate style of play. The championship trophies won this past year not only enrich the trophy room but also rekindle the passion of millions of fans.

With positive momentum and a mature squad, we have every reason to believe that under the leadership of "magician" Kim Sang Sik, Vietnamese football will reach even greater heights, aiming for World Cup qualifications and elite continental tournaments in the near future.