The Vietnamese team won 1 (Philippines), lost 1 (Iraq) in June 2024 - the time coach Kim Sang-sik debuted. That result and performance were considered "acceptable" for the Korean coach to be able to bring the team back on track after a year of losing the way under Mr. Philippe Troussier.
3 months later, even though it was only 2 friendly matches, the 47-year-old coach could feel the pressure was greater than when the task was only to “complete the remaining 2 matches in the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup”. The pressure now is one opponent from Europe (higher level) and another opponent who is a rival in the Southeast Asian region.
When competing, everyone wants to win, but the experience from coach Park Hang-seo will be passed on to his fellow countryman about the love of football of Vietnamese fans, with many people wanting to win "in all circumstances, against all opponents, at all times"...
So, for quite a long time now, experts have formed the habit of asking before each match of the Vietnam Team what is important? The result or the performance?
The Vietnamese team under Mr. Troussier did not have both of these factors. Mr. Kim Sang-sik is gradually getting one side (performance), but it must be seen that it is still the shadow of the team under Mr. Park. While the goal of Vietnamese football is to raise the level.
Of course, if Mr. Kim Sang-sik wants to improve the team, he must at least bring back the team of Mr. Park's time, and then find a way to improve it. That is the common path (both VFF and Vietnamese football must change drastically) and there is still a long way to go. For now, if we can beat both Russia and Thailand, that would be great! But if we can't win, at least it must be an acceptable performance, with an impression in some aspect.
In other words, it's okay to lose, but don't get so weak and frustrated that you lose your cool.
