During the FIFA Days in June - when the Korean coach started his job as successor to Phiippe Troussier, the 2 matches of the Vietnam National Team were both in official tournaments (2026 World Cup qualifiers). The results of 1 win (against the Philippines), 1 loss (against Iraq) were not too good but not too bad either.
The factor that helped Mr. Kim Sang-sik pass the first test was because the team's performance was "more distinctive" than under the French coach. In fact, it should be said that "it somewhat regained the image of the team under Mr. Park Hang-seo".
3 months have passed, the new V.League season has not started yet, everything coach Kim Sang-sik has prepared for FIFA Days in September is just in theory. But this will be the "second challenge", with a bigger level, even if it is only 2 friendly matches.
The challenge here comes from the level and identity of the two teams that Vietnam will face. First is the Russian team, representing Europe. Russian sports and football are banned from tournaments but they still have friendly matches. Their two friendly matches in 2024 both had a score of 4-0 against Serbia and Belarus, along with an 8-0 victory over Cuba at the end of 2023, they scored 16 goals in the last 3 matches.
The level and style of Russian football is probably beyond question. They always have high quality players and a short, beautiful passing style of play.
Meanwhile, the Thai team is a challenge that Mr. Kim Sang-sik has felt for the first time. Vietnamese fans are really thirsty to win against their Southeast Asian rivals, regardless of where and under what circumstances. But in the last 10 confrontations in the past 12 years, the Vietnamese team has only won 1 (friendly).
That is the invisible pressure that the 47-year-old coach will have to gradually get used to. And most likely, he will need Coach Park's advice again to at least get through this challenge safely.
