There are matches that create opposite emotions: Excited because of 3 points and the discomfort of winning those 3 points. The hard-fought victory of U22 Vietnam against U22 Laos is an example.
The Korean coach said three points are important because from the perspective of a professional, a young, newly assembled team needs the most results to keep the psychological rhythm in the dressing room. The coach often does not stand in front of the media and complains about his students just because the audience is not happy. He has to maintain balance, he has to anchor the team with the least controversy: Victory.
But Vietnamese football has long had another "privilege": The expectation of surpassing the score. The audience wants to see identity, want to see characteristics. Experts want to see progress, want to see a plan. So 3 points is just one of the factors to talk about the importance. Especially when meeting U22 Laos, the opponent has long been rated much lower. When U22 Vietnam struggled against U22 Laos, fans were not only disappointed but also felt that the team had not reached the standards that should have been achieved.
Of course, the enting thing of each person lies at different depths. For Mr. Kim, that is the result to nurture the journey. For the audience, it was a feeling that the team was developing convincingly. For experts, it is stability, a tactical structure, and signs of sustainability. The 3 reference systems are not contradictory, just not overlapping.
However, Mr. Kim Sang-sik may need to show more accuracy and frankness in his assessment. The "heartbreaking" and "three important points" easily create the feeling that the team is reducing its ambition. The truth is that U22 Vietnam has greater potential, and fans want to see that, not just listen to what they hear.
The right direction is good, but the right direction without the right rhythm will make the public question. The responsibility of a coach is not only to lead professionally, but also to show style, charisma, frankness and create trust. 3 points can soothe the general feeling, but the way you play is what nurtures the future. And the most important thing - in every system of reference - is still the feeling that this team is growing day by day.
