These were the emotional words of Vietnam National Football Team Head Coach Kim Sang-sik after capturing the championship trophy at the 2026 ASEAN Hyundai Cup on August 26. In the final second leg held at a packed home stadium in Hanoi, Vietnam played to a hard-fought 2-2 draw against traditional regional powerhouse Thailand. Having secured a 2-0 victory in the first leg away on August 22, Vietnam triumphed with a 4-2 aggregate score, achieving a historic milestone: back-to-back tournament championships for the very first time in the nation's football history.
Formerly known by corporate titles such as the AFF Suzuki Cup or Mitsubishi Cup, this prestigious biennial tournament is affectionately dubbed the "World Cup of Southeast Asia."
The final second-leg match was a tense, dramatic affair. Vietnam fell behind early after conceding an opening goal to Thailand, putting the home crowd on edge. However, the momentum shifted in the 7th minute of the second half when Thailand's goalkeeper, Chatchai Bootprom, inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, leveling the score. Although Thailand regained the lead in the 40th minute of the second half courtesy of left-back Wanchai Jarunongkran, Vietnam displayed remarkable resilience. Deep into second-half stoppage time, Wanchai suffered another own-goal misfortune, sealing a 2-2 draw that safely carried Vietnam across the finish line.
With this triumph, Vietnam extended its staggering international unbeaten streak to 26 matches (22 wins, 4 draws), capturing its fourth title in tournament history (following previous victories in 2008, 2018, 2024, and 2026). The victory further cements a golden era for South Korean managers in Vietnam. Back in 2018, former coach Park Hang-seo—reverently dubbed "Rice-Hangseo"—led Vietnam to regional supremacy. Since taking over the mantle, Coach Kim Sang-sik has secured consecutive titles in 2024 and 2026. Along with the prestigious trophy, the Golden Star Warriors pocketed a total of $620,000 USD (approximately 856 million KRW), comprising a $500,000 winner's prize and $140,000 in participation fees.
Since taking the helm of the Vietnamese national team in May 2024, Coach Kim has taken charge of both the senior squad and the U-23 national team, yielding extraordinary results. Following a dominant string of successes—including winning the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) U-23 Championship in July of last year and capturing the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games gold medal last December—Kim has now conquered the ASEAN Hyundai Cup, cementing his status as a national hero in Vietnam.
"Vietnamese football is continuing to grow and will only get stronger moving forward," Coach Kim stated, expressing his ambitions for the future of the team.
Following the final whistle, major cities across Vietnam erupted into nationwide celebrations. According to local media outlet VN익스프레스 (VnExpress), massive crowds flooded the streets of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, and Da Nang, painting the nights red. Fans waved Vietnam's national flag, the Red Flag with a Yellow Star (Cờ đỏ sao vàng), chanting "Vietnam vô địch!" (Vietnam is the champion!). Notably, numerous local fans were also spotted waving the South Korean national flag (Taegeukgi), expressing profound gratitude and affection for the Korean tactical mastermind, Coach Kim Sang-sik.
Experts attribute Kim’s success to his meticulous tactical flexibility, excellent player management, and ability to foster deep trust within a youthful squad. By blending veteran resilience with emerging young talents, Kim has transformed Vietnam into an indomitable force in Southeast Asian football. As the team looks ahead to wider Asian qualifiers and continental tournaments, the "Kim Sang-sik Magic" shows no signs of fading, promising an even brighter horizon for Vietnamese football.
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