The Vietnam national team was awarded a win against Malaysia by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), helping Kim Sang Sik extend his unbeaten streak to 15 matches and approach the 18-match record of Coach Park Hang Seo.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) awarding Malaysia a 0-3 loss not only created a turning point in Group F of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, but also marked a notable milestone for Kim Sang Sik. The Vietnam team thereby secured an early ticket to advance, while also helping the Korean strategist move closer to a symbolic record.
Specifically, the penalty from AFC led to adjustments in Malaysia's match results, including the match against Vietnam. Coach Kim Sang Sik's team was credited with an additional 3-0 victory, raising their total points to 15 and maintaining a perfect record after 5 matches. Not only leading the group, the team also officially secured a spot in the finals ahead of one match.
The noteworthy aspect lies in the stable performance streak the Vietnam team is displaying. With this result, Coach Kim Sang Sik has extended the team's unbeaten streak to 15 matches in official competitions. Among these, the team achieved 13 wins and only 2 draws—a performance demonstrating solidity both in gameplay and competitive spirit.
This achievement is immediately compared to the 18-match unbeaten milestone under Park Hang Seo—a streak once recognized by FIFA during the 2016–2018 period. At that time, Vietnam maintained impressive form for over two years before being halted after a loss to Iraq in the 2019 Asian Cup.
From a professional perspective, Coach Kim Sang Sik is recreating the image of a disciplined, well-organized, and efficient team—factors that contributed to success under Coach Park Hang Seo. Moreover, his imprint is evident in the ability to rotate personnel and maintain stability across various team levels.
With only a 3-match gap to reach the 18-mark milestone, the opportunity for Coach Kim Sang Sik to equal, or even break, his predecessor's record is entirely feasible. If the current form continues, Vietnamese football could witness a new cycle of success, where past milestones no longer represent limits.