At noon on June 9, coach Kim Sang-sik attended a press conference before the match between the Vietnam team and Malaysia in the second match of Group F of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.
Evaluating the nature of this match, coach Kim Sang-sik said: "This is the most important match of the year.
This is also the most difficult match in our 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers if we want to get a ticket to the Asian Cup finals.
Vietnam needs to promote its strengths as a unified group. We will get points if we maintain solidarity and promote our efforts".
"Football is always difficult, no matter whether we know anything about the opponent or not, the result depends on us, that is the prerequisite. The Vietnamese team has a good history of facing Malaysia.
We have prepared well. We will rely on ourselves to get good results, not rely on other factors," coach Kim Sang-sik added.
At this press conference, coach Kim Sang-sik also received much attention for his achievement in leading the ASEAN All-Stars team to defeat Man United 1-0 on May 28.
"In the match against Man United, we didn't know what the squad would be like, we didn't have much time to learn about each other's football, we were lucky to win.
Man United is also affected by travel and weather, I feel satisfied to prove that Southeast Asian football can reach the next level," coach Kim Sang-sik shared.
Coach Kim Sang-sik also said that changes in personnel in the Malaysian squad, especially newly naturalized players, will also cause some difficulties for the Vietnamese team.
He said: "The Malaysian team is different. The opposing team has 17-18 naturalized players and competes abroad. It will not be easy, but we have our own determination and goals, we will try our best, prepare the best."
The match between Malaysia and Vietnam will take place tomorrow (June 10) at Bukit Jalil Stadium (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia).