Kim Sang-sik, the coach of the Vietnam national football team, is gaining renewed attention in Indonesia following the team's elimination from the ASEAN Modern Cup 2026. Local fans and experts are citing his direct observation of opponents as a key difference in preparation that Indonesian football should learn from.
On August 11, local media VnExpress and Indonesian football circles reported that during FIFA Day in June, Coach Kim visited Jakarta's Bung Karno Stadium to watch a friendly match between Indonesia and Mozambique. Dressed in a white T-shirt and carrying a black backpack, he sat in the stands and even took photos with Indonesian fans.
His visit generated some buzz at the time, with Indonesian media interpreting it as an effort to assess the strength of the Indonesian team ahead of their group stage match in the ASEAN Modern Cup 2026. However, it did not receive significant attention until after the tournament began.
The narrative shifted after Indonesia was eliminated from the group stage last week. Following a 3-0 defeat to Vietnam on August 3, Indonesia drew 1-1 with Singapore on August 7, finishing with two wins, one draw, and one loss, totaling seven points, which was not enough to advance past Vietnam (10 points) and Singapore (8 points). Subsequently, images of Coach Kim in the stadium resurfaced in Indonesian football communities, sparking discussions about Vietnam's meticulous preparation. Local fans reacted by stating that Vietnam's success was not coincidental but a result of thorough analysis of their opponents.
Indonesian netizen Fantamas commented, "I really respect him. The Vietnam coach was professional enough to prepare for the Indonesia match months in advance. That’s why they beat us." Another user, Rikki, added, "I just remembered this. The Vietnam coach really thinks ahead. Now I understand why he has succeeded as Vietnam's national team coach."
Fans' reactions also turned into critiques of the Indonesian team. A netizen named Lita remarked, "Our coaches should learn this mentality. We can't just think we're strong. Without proper preparation, no one can win." Satra noted, "They prepared seriously for months for this tournament. That seriousness deserves to be rewarded. Meanwhile, we took the tournament lightly and only thought about distant goals."
"Understanding Southeast Asia is Key to Winning"...Advice for Herdman
Indonesian football expert Iban Hariri believes that Coach Kim's preparation methods should serve as a reference for Indonesia's coach, John Herdman. In an interview with Indonesian media Kompas, he stated, "In June, Kim Sang-sik came alone to Bung Karno Stadium to observe Indonesia's playing style. That is a very important effort for a coach."
He added that Herdman should not be deemed a failure solely based on Indonesia's elimination from the ASEAN Modern Cup 2026 group stage. Herdman took over earlier this year, and this tournament was his first major test with the Indonesian national team. However, Iban pointed out that understanding Indonesian football alone is not sufficient. He emphasized that Herdman should broaden his perspective to include the characteristics, cultures, and competitive dynamics of other Southeast Asian teams, citing Kim's direct analysis of opponents as a comparative example.
Iban stated, "I know Herdman has worked hard and prepared the team as best as he could. But he needs to clearly understand where Indonesia stands and where other countries are. We must not become overly proud just because Indonesia is getting closer to World Cup qualification and forget about the competition in Southeast Asia."
Meanwhile, local Vietnamese fans continue to praise Coach Kim's preparation and leadership style. One fan remarked, "In Southeast Asian football, you need to know your opponent and yourself," highlighting the significance of Kim's direct assessment of Indonesia's strengths. Another fan noted, "A national team coach should achieve the best results with the players currently available," emphasizing the importance of making the most of existing resources rather than relying solely on a strong squad.
Some fans have also pointed out the compatibility between Korean coaches and Vietnamese football. One fan stated, "Korean coaches fit well with Vietnam," positively reflecting on how Kim's leadership has restored stability to the team. Reactions regarding Kim's observational methods included a fan urging, "Keep going to the stadium to watch games and make the right decisions," suggesting that his direct analysis of opponents has contributed to Vietnam's success.
The defending champions of the ASEAN Modern Cup, Vietnam, have advanced to the semifinals, where they will compete against Malaysia for a spot in the final. They will play the first leg of the semifinals in Kuala Lumpur on August 16 and the second leg on August 19 at My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi. Under Coach Kim Sang-sik, the Vietnam national team aims for a spot in the final and a consecutive championship title.
The ASEAN Modern Cup 2026 has been ongoing since July 24, featuring ten teams. Group A includes Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, Cambodia, and Timor-Leste, while Group B consists of Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Myanmar, and Laos. In the semifinals, Singapore will face Thailand, while Vietnam will compete against Malaysia for a chance to reach the final.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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