Kim Sang-sik, head coach of the Vietnam national football team, is under intense scrutiny from local media as he prepares for a crucial match against Indonesia in the group stage of the 2026 ASEAN Football Championship on August 3. Following a disappointing draw against Singapore on July 31, questions have arisen regarding his substitution decisions and tactical choices.
According to reports from Vietnam's Thanh Nien newspaper, Indonesian sports outlet Sport Detik highlighted Kim's demeanor and game management after the draw with Singapore. The outlet noted, "Kim appeared completely flustered as Vietnamese players missed several scoring opportunities, and his subsequent substitution decisions were questionable."
Central to the controversy was Kim's decision to substitute the attacking players during the first half against Singapore. Sport Detik pointed out that while the Vietnamese forwards struggled to finish, Kim's choices were "difficult to understand," particularly the substitution of striker Dinh Bac, who had scored a hat trick in the previous match against Timor-Leste, for naturalized forward Nguyen Thai Lok in the 41st minute.
While Indonesian media had previously portrayed Kim in a favorable light, the atmosphere shifted after the Singapore match. With the Vietnam-Indonesia clash set for 8:30 PM local time (10:30 PM KST) on August 3, Kim's bench management has become a focal point of interest.
"We Must Win" - Kim Sang-sik's Determination
Amidst the scrutiny, Kim emphasized the importance of the upcoming match against Indonesia. In a pre-match press conference, he stated, "Tomorrow's game is crucial for determining our advancement to the semifinals. It will be a very challenging away match, but we must secure three points." He added, "We have sufficient motivation to win."
Addressing the issues revealed in the Singapore match, Kim acknowledged the team's lack of decisiveness. He remarked, "We created many good opportunities but failed to capitalize on them. We have prepared well for the next match and will respond with our performance on the field." He also noted that this would be the first time the team plays at the current venue, saying, "We have never played here before, and the weather is quite nice."
Kim also expressed caution regarding Indonesia's strength. He stated, "I analyzed Indonesia's last two matches. They have a strong squad, and particularly player number 19, Tom Hay, has been performing very well and is difficult to stop." However, he emphasized confidence in his defense, stating, "We have not conceded a goal since the tournament began, and we are confident in that aspect."
Kim acknowledged that Indonesia has improved compared to previous matches. He mentioned watching a friendly match between Indonesia and Mozambique, saying, "I felt that Indonesia has changed a lot. They played strongly, know how to play football, and understand what they need to do." He added, "However, the more important thing is to focus on ourselves."
When asked about tactical formations, Kim was cautious in his response. A reporter questioned whether deploying aggressive players like Quang Hai and Hoang Duc together could be risky. Kim smiled and avoided a direct answer, saying, "We are not overly concerned about that. We have Patrick, who can handle it." He also noted, "Indonesia is a strong opponent, so we may need to prepare alternative options."
Fan reactions have leaned more towards concern than optimism. Online commenters noted that whether Kim is truly panicking will be revealed in the match, while others pointed out that Indonesia presents a different challenge than Singapore, emphasizing the importance of creating scoring opportunities.
Some fans have tempered their expectations, with one stating, "Just earning one point in Indonesia would be sufficient, as they are considered a stronger team than Singapore. The Vietnam team needs a humble approach rather than grand statements." Another commenter warned, "In football, there are wins, losses, and draws. If the coach and players lose their composure and lack strategy, they could lose again."
Meanwhile, Vietnam faces a critical juncture following the draw with Singapore, needing to shift momentum as they prepare for the important away match against Indonesia. Despite local media criticism and fan concerns, Kim has set a goal of securing three points, and the outcome of the match on August 3 will be pivotal for Vietnam's semifinal aspirations.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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