Recently, the Southeast Asian Football Federation (AFF) officially announced that Mr. Kim Sang-sik - Head Coach of the Vietnam National Team, reigning Southeast Asian Championship - will lead the "ASEAN All-Stars" team at the Maybank Challenge Cup.
This is a historic international friendly match with Manchester United, scheduled to take place on May 28, 2025 at Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Malaysia. The match is a meaningful event to honor the role of leadership, regional pride and solidarity through sports.
After winning the ASEAN Cup 2024 with the Vietnamese team, the appointment of coach Kim Sang-sik to lead the ASEAN All-Stars team is a testament to the excellence and trust he has built in the football community.
Sharing his feelings, Mr. Kim Sang-sik said: "To be led by the best players from all over ASEAN countries in such an important match is a great honor. We are not only representing our countries, but are showing the world the pride, spirit and strength of the region".
Meanwhile, Mr. Khiev Sameth - President of AFF commented: "Coach Kim Sang-sik is a symbol of progress and professionalism. His leadership will inspire not only the players in the team, but also a generation of players and fans."
The ASEAN All-Stars team will include top players selected from all 12 member federations of the AFF, reflecting the diversity and collective strength of Southeast Asian football.
In addition, this match has a profound goal of raising funds to Al-Sultan Abdullah (YASA), a prestigious charitable organization in Malaysia. This underlines the AFF's commitment to creating a positive impact off the pitch.
