As Vietnam prepares to face Thailand in a friendly match at My Dinh Stadium on September 10, coach Kim Sang-sik emphasized that the match is more than just a routine warm-up. With the rivalry between the two nations in Southeast Asian football, Kim sees the game as a crucial step in building momentum ahead of the AFF Cup 2024.
Speaking at the headquarters of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) on September 9, Kim reflected on the importance of the upcoming match. “We lost to Thailand in the final of the AFF Cup 2022, and this time, we need to win. This match is essential as we prepare for the AFF Cup at the end of the year. We will do our best to achieve the best result,” he said. “Facing Thailand tomorrow is not just an ordinary match; it carries much deeper significance.”
Vietnam and Thailand have long been fierce rivals in Southeast Asian football. Under former coach Park Hang-seo, Vietnam dethroned Thailand to become the dominant team in the region, securing victories in the AFF Cup and SEA Games. Vietnam also became the only Southeast Asian team to advance to the third round of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers. However, in recent years, Thailand has regained its status as the top team in the region, winning back-to-back AFF Cup titles in 2020 and 2022.
Following an unsuccessful stint with coach Philippe Troussier, the VFF appointed Kim Sang-sik, a legendary figure in South Korean football, as the new head coach in May 2024. Since taking charge, Kim has led Vietnam in two official matches, a 1-3 loss to Iraq and a 3-2 win over the Philippines in the second round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
In this current training camp, Vietnam is competing in a three-team tournament to prepare for the AFF Cup 2024. In their first match on September 5, Vietnam suffered a 0-3 defeat to Russia. Thailand’s scheduled match against Russia two days later was canceled due to the impact of Typhoon Yagi.
While Kim is focused on securing a win against Thailand, his counterpart, coach Masatada Ishii, has a different approach. In a previous press conference, Ishii stated that Thailand is primarily using this friendly as an opportunity to experiment with new players. Thailand has brought a squad filled with young talents to Vietnam, with the main focus on development rather than results.
Addressing the difference in objectives between the two teams, Kim pointed out that Vietnam also has several young, promising players in their squad, such as Hai Long and Bui Vi Hao. Kim emphasized that these players represent the future of Vietnamese football, and he believes that incorporating young talents into the national team is beneficial for both Vietnam and Thailand. It increases competition within the squad, which ultimately improves the quality of both teams.
Despite the friendly nature of the match, Kim acknowledged the intense rivalry between Vietnam and Thailand, likening it to the football rivalry between South Korea and Japan. He urged his players to give their all to secure a positive result in the upcoming match, while also calling on Vietnamese fans to come out in large numbers to support the team. In the previous match against Russia, only a few thousand spectators attended the game at My Dinh Stadium, partly due to the effects of the typhoon.
With the match set for September 10, the stakes are high for both teams. For Vietnam, a victory over their archrival Thailand would not only serve as a morale boost ahead of the AFF Cup but also reaffirm their position as one of Southeast Asia’s top teams. Coach Kim Sang-sik and his players are determined to seize this opportunity and deliver a memorable performance on home soil. The match promises to be a highly anticipated encounter, with both teams looking to make a statement before the end-of-year tournament.
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