The 2024 ASEAN Cup championship of coach Kim Sang-sik and the Vietnamese team received much attention from the Korean media.
Many newspapers in this country call him "the new hero of Vietnamese football", after coach Park Hang-seo.
Mr. Kim also shared with the media at home about the achievement of helping the Vietnamese team win the Southeast Asian championship for the third time.
"It felt like I was writing a drama. At every moment, situations happened that I had never experienced before. Although I was confused, I overcame them wisely.
The scene of the second goal conceded in the second leg of the final kept appearing in my mind. This stemmed from the bad behaviour of some Thai players.
"The loss made the players show more fighting spirit. I think this scene became the driving force behind our victory," STN News (South Korea) quoted Mr. Kim as saying.
Mr. Kim said that coach Park Hang-seo also influenced the success of the Vietnamese team at the ASEAN Cup 2024.
"Mr. Park gives me advice after each match. I think the reason I can lead the Vietnamese team is because I have energy. Thank you for always encouraging me," Mr. Kim sent a message to coach Park Hang-seo.
Coach Kim Sang-sik added: "I cannot compare with the achievements of coach Park Hang-seo.I believe that if I work hard, the results will come.I will quietly follow the path I have to take." The Korean strategist said that he also had to find a way to overcome the remaining weaknesses of the team after coach Troussier left.
"I tried to find the shortcomings and improve them. Coach Troussier's generational change happened too quickly. We used young players with little experience, but I don't think they could show their true skills," he said.
Meanwhile, another Korean coach working in Southeast Asia, Shin Tae-yong in Indonesia, was suddenly fired.
Regarding the departure of coach Shin Tae-yong, Mr. Kim said: "We promised to meet in the final but it's disappointing. He was fired despite his high achievements. He was a great senior."
Finally, coach Kim Sang-sik emphasized his determination to move forward with the Vietnamese team. He said: "We have won, but this is just the beginning. Vietnamese football needs to develop further."
