Kim Sang-sik: After the record is a historical challenge

22-match unbeaten streak

The Vietnamese team finished the ASEAN Cup 2026 group stage with a 3-1 victory over Cambodia. This result helped the team topped Group A, win the right to enter the semi-finals and meet the Malaysian team.

With 4 unbeaten matches in the group stage of the ASEAN Cup 2026, coach Kim Sang-sik has further consolidated his record in the history of Vietnamese football. Accordingly, the Korean strategist has extended his unbeaten streak in international matches with the Vietnamese national team to 22 matches (19 wins, 3 draws).

This is the longest unbeaten streak in the history of Vietnamese football, surpassing the previous record (18 matches) in the period from 2016-2018.

Coach Kim Sang-sik rewrites the history of Vietnamese football", Korean media praised the achievements of the compatriot strategist. Mr. Kim's unbeaten streak with the Vietnamese team has lasted for nearly 2 years, with a series of tournaments from ASEAN Cup 2024, 2026 to the Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers and friendly matches during FIFA Days.

Historical challenge

The next task of Mr. Kim Sang-sik and the Vietnamese team is to win the ASEAN Cup 2026. If he can do this, he will create a series of new records for Vietnamese football as well as equal achievements with other famous strategists in Southeast Asia.

The Vietnamese team has won the ASEAN Cup 3 times, but the previous two times the team could not successfully defend the title. After the championship in 2008, coach Calisto and the Vietnamese team lost to Malaysia in the semi-finals of the 2010 ASEAN Cup.

In 2018, Mr. Park Hang-seo brought the Vietnamese team to the throne with an undefeated record. But 2 years later, the strategist and team stopped before the Thai team in the semi-finals.

If he helps the Vietnamese team successfully defend their title at the ASEAN Cup 2026, Mr. Kim Sang-sik will become the first coach in the history of Vietnamese football to win this playground 2 consecutive times.

Thereby, he will level the achievements with other strategists such as Peter Withe (with Thailand team won ASEAN Cup 2000, 2002), Radojko Avramovic (Singapore team in 2004, 2007), Kiatisuk Senamuang (Thailand team in 2014, 2016) and Alexander Polking (Thailand team in 2020, 2022).

The challenge for Mr. Kim Sang-sik is very big. However, the Vietnamese team has a powerful force in hand, many players are in high form, possessing stars with good breakthrough ability. Compared to opponents, the Vietnamese team is the most highly rated team. These things will add strength to Mr. Kim Sang-sik to complete the set goals.