The Vietnam national football team is currently undergoing a training camp in South Korea as they prepare for the upcoming ASEAN Cup 2024. In a recent interview with Asia Today, head coach Kim Sang Sik shared his thoughts on the purpose and goals of the team’s training sessions in Korea.
Discussing the reasons behind choosing South Korea for the training camp, Coach Kim stated, “The weather is not an issue for us, as we primarily train in the indoor dome stadium in Gyeongju. I chose South Korea so the team could focus on training in the most efficient way possible. No matter where the team trains in Southeast Asia, there will always be external factors that affect the preparation. Moreover, in South Korea, the team can easily find suitable opponents to enhance our technical work.”
The 47-year-old coach emphasized that the main objectives of the training camp are to improve the players’ physical condition and assess the team’s overall abilities through three friendly matches. He added, “The purpose of this camp is to strengthen the players’ fitness and evaluate the team’s performance through both training and recovery sessions.”
In addition to his thoughts on the team’s physical preparation, Coach Kim shared a personal reflection on his efforts to connect with Vietnamese culture. “I began learning Vietnamese as soon as I was appointed as the head coach of the Vietnam national team,” he revealed. “I believe that the success of Coach Park Hang Seo was not only due to football skills but also to the special bond he developed with the people and players of Vietnam. He respected and understood Vietnamese culture, which played a significant role in his success.”
Coach Kim expressed his own desire to build a strong connection with the Vietnamese people. “I have even learned the national anthem to sing along. Though it’s not perfect, I think it’s going okay for now.”
The Vietnam national team will continue their training and friendly matches in South Korea until December 3, as they gear up for the ASEAN Cup, with the team focusing on solidifying their fitness and refining their tactical play in preparation for the upcoming tournament.
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