Indonesian media reacts as Coach Kim Sang Sik sets record with Vietnam national team

Indonesia's Bola newspaper praised Coach Kim Sang Sik after achieving a perfect winning record across various levels of Vietnam's national teams.

After the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) ruled a 0-3 forfeit loss for Malaysia's national team in the Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers, Vietnam's national team officially secured a spot in the continent's most prestigious tournament. Coach Kim Sang Sik and his team achieved this with a flawless winning record, up until the final match scheduled later this month.

Notably, this achievement also helped Coach Kim Sang Sik maintain a 100% win rate over nearly two years leading various levels of Vietnam's national teams in Southeast Asia. The impressive record of the Korean strategist received praise from regional media, including the Indonesian newspaper Bola .

Specifically, in an article titled "Malaysia's victory over Vietnam canceled due to use of ineligible player, helping Coach Kim Sang Sik establish another new milestone", the paper highlighted the remarkable achievements of the 1976-born coach, which brought resounding success to Vietnamese football.

Bola noted: "The AFC's decision to cancel Malaysia's victory indirectly helped Coach Kim Sang Sik continue his unbeaten record in Southeast Asia. Simultaneously, the Korean strategist also set another notable personal milestone.

Over nearly two years leading Vietnamese football at both national and U23 levels, Kim Sang Sik achieved a perfect success rate in official regional tournaments.

This impressive streak includes winning the 2024 AFF Cup, the Southeast Asian U23 title, the 33rd SEA Games gold medal, guiding Vietnam U23 to the semifinals of the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup, and most recently securing Vietnam's qualification for the Asian Cup 2027."

After Coach Park Hang Seo departed in 2023, Vietnamese football experienced a stagnation period under Coach Philippe Troussier. However, since Kim Sang Sik took over as head coach in 2024, positive results quickly returned.

The Korean strategist's first mark came from winning the 2024 AFF Cup, where Vietnam impressed by defeating arch-rival Thailand in both final matches. The upward trend continued as Kim and his players claimed the Southeast Asian U23 title in 2025. By year-end, Vietnam U23 under his guidance secured the third gold medal in men's football history at the SEA Games.

Not stopping there, early this year, Vietnam U23 maintained impressive form at the AFC U23 Asian Cup finals and concluded the tournament with a third-place finish.

In the upcoming training camp, Coach Kim Sang Sik's leadership is expected to shine again as Vietnam faces Bangladesh in a friendly before focusing on the final Asian Cup 2027 qualifier match against Malaysia.