Vietnam in a family story
Before becoming the head coach of the Vietnamese national teams, Mr. Kim Sang-sik had the opportunity to come to Vietnam through AFC tournaments. He knew about Vietnamese football from the atmosphere in the stadiums, the cheers of fans and the image of players striving to play.
Before coming here, I had experience participating in AFC tournaments. I also participated in matches in Vietnam, saw the enthusiastic atmosphere on the stadium as well as the efforts of Vietnamese players. I really want to work in Vietnam one day and now I have done it," Mr. Kim shared.
Mr. Kim Sang-sik's life in the past 2 years has always been associated with training trips and continuous schedules. The time spent for himself is not much, but the Korean coach has formed his own habit in this place.
In the past two years, my life has not changed much. I get up in the morning to eat pho and start working," he said.
A bowl of pho in the morning is just a small detail, but it shows that he has adapted to life in Vietnam in the most natural way. The familiar things of this place gradually become a part of his life.
What is even more special is that Vietnam also appears in the stories between him and his family. His wife and relatives have repeatedly said that this is already his "second homeland". Even the story of the whole family moving to Vietnam to live has been mentioned.
Coach Kim Sang-sik recounted: "My wife and relatives often say that Vietnam is my second homeland, probably just living here, not going anywhere else. I often answer that the house price in Hanoi is too high, I haven't been able to buy it yet.
Days away from home always towards family
There is one thing that has not changed in the two years coach Kim Sang-sik has been in Vietnam. Although work takes up most of his time, family is still always present in his mind.
The nature of his profession made him have to be away from his wife and children for many periods of time. Prolonged training camps and continuous competition trips made returning to Korea not always easy. Even when the Vietnamese team went to Korea for training, he did not have the opportunity to meet his family.
During the training period in Korea, we could not meet because the distance was quite far," he shared.
Perhaps that's why meetings with his wife and children are always of special significance to coach Kim Sang-sik. In the second leg final at My Dinh, his family was present in the stands to cheer directly. After a period of separation, the image of relatives appearing at the stadium is a special encouragement.
The family has never stood outside coach Kim Sang-sik's life. His wife still watches her husband's matches and has very... everyday reactions. Mr. Kim once recounted that when U22 Vietnam was led 2-0 by U22 Thailand in the SEA Games 33 final, his wife turned off the TV.
In a recent conversation, Mr. Kim also recounted the conversation with his wife. She said: "If Vietnamese people love us like this, maybe our family will also move to live in Vietnam, right?".
Coach Kim Sang-sik only replied humorously: "Hanoi's house price is too high, I haven't bought it yet".
