The 3-2 victory of U22 Vietnam over U22 Thailand in the final of the 33rd SEA Games men's football on the evening of December 18 not only brought home a prestigious gold medal, but also marked a special milestone in coach Kim Sang-sik's coaching career.
In less than a year, the Korean coach has twice reached the top of the region with Vietnamese football, both at Rajamangala Stadium and against a fateful opponent Thailand.
In early 2025, under the leadership of coach Kim Sang-sik, the Vietnamese team defeated Thailand right at Rajamangala to win the 2024 ASEAN Cup championship. It was a meaningful victory that affirmed the position, helping Vietnamese football regain confidence and courage after a difficult transition period.
By the end of 2025, the same scenario was repeated, this time with the U22 Vietnam team in the final of the 33rd SEA Games. Under pressure from Thai spectators, U22 Vietnam was 2 goals behind, but still stood firmly reversed the flow to win 3-2 after extra time. Once again, coach Kim Sang-sik showed the ability to read the match, calmness and courage in decisive moments.
The common point of the two victories at Rajamangala Stadium is the uncompromising fighting spirit of the Vietnamese players, along with a clear tactical mark from the coaching staff.
At both the national team and U22 levels, coach Kim Sang-sik has built an organized team, known to withstand pressure and is especially effective in key moments.
Winning the 2024 SEA Cup with the national team and the 33rd SEA Games gold medal with U22 Vietnam helped coach Kim Sang-sik become one of the rare strategists to make a strong impression in just a short time.
The two victories over Thailand at Rajamangala Stadium are not only titles, but also a symbol of the increasing confidence and bravery of Vietnamese football in the regional arena.
