Ahead of their World Cup 2026 qualifying match against the Philippines, Vietnam’s head coach Kim Sang Sik expressed confidence in his team’s readiness and determination to secure a victory.
The match, set to take place at 7 PM on June 5th at My Dinh Stadium, marks Kim’s debut as the head coach of the Vietnamese national team.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) headquarters, Kim acknowledged the challenges but remained optimistic. “Tomorrow is my first match after taking on the role with the Vietnamese national team. Despite only having five days to prepare, I have tried my best to convey my philosophy and playing style to the players. I believe we will achieve a good result,” Kim stated.
Vietnam currently stands third in Group F with three points from four matches in the second round of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. The gap between Vietnam and second-placed Indonesia is four points, making it challenging for Vietnam to advance to the third round. Nonetheless, Kim and his squad are determined to fight for victories in their remaining matches against the Philippines and Iraq.
The pressure to win against the Philippines is significant, especially as it marks Kim’s first match as head coach. However, the South Korean strategist remains unfazed. “Coach Park Hang-seo debuted with a draw for the Vietnamese team. Our goal tomorrow is to win. I understand the pressure of leading a national team, but we have the support of our fans, home advantage, and thorough preparation. I am confident we will have a good match,” Kim asserted.
Kim also spoke about the team’s preparations and his initial impressions of working with the Vietnamese players. He emphasized building strong relationships within the team, aiming to foster a sense of camaraderie and support. “I want to become a brother to the players in the Vietnamese national team. The word ‘brother’ has many meanings. In everyday life, I will be like a brother in a family. In training, I will strive to guide and direct the players to understand and execute the professional requirements accurately. I will try to create connections to bring out the best in the players,” Kim explained.
With home advantage and the backing of passionate fans, Vietnam is poised to give a strong performance against the Philippines. The team hopes to leverage these factors to secure a much-needed win and keep their World Cup qualifying hopes alive. As Kim Sang Sik makes his debut, all eyes will be on My Dinh Stadium to see if Vietnam can rise to the occasion and start a new chapter under their new coach with a victory.
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