Talking to Lao Dong, the Korean strategist said that before the 33rd SEA Games, the coaching staff clearly identified the requirements for competitive attitude and discipline: "We have agreed to compete with responsibility, with the honor of ourselves, the team and the Fatherland. This has been maintained throughout the journey of U22 Vietnam at the 33rd SEA Games.
In the final match against U22 Thailand, U22 Vietnam faced many difficulties in the first half and were 2 goals behind. During the break, coach Kim Sang-sik asked the players to stay calm, not give up and play according to the set plan. He emphasized that the team has enough capacity to change the situation if it maintains the organization and competitive spirit. As a result, U22 Vietnam reversed the situation in the second half to win 3-2 overall.
According to him, the difference of U22 Vietnam comes from the depth of the squad. Players who came off the bench such as Thai Son, Van Thuan or Thanh Nhan all met professional requirements well. The substitution is based on many factors, including the match developments and the readiness of each player.
The Korean coach believes that victories at the SEA Games are not a coincidence. He affirmed that it was the result of preparation and efforts of the whole team. However, Mr. Kim also admitted that U22 Vietnam is still limited, especially in the ability to shoot and handle in the final area. This is a content that will continue to be improved in the coming time. Looking forward to the 2026 U23 Asian Cup finals, the strategist born in 1976 commented that the tournament will have a much higher level of competition, not only limited to Southeast Asia. This is also a new test for the young players.
