Ho Chi Minh City, 14 October 2025 – Following Vietnam’s narrow 1-0 victory over Nepal at Thong Nhat Stadium, head coach Kim Sang Sik admitted disappointment with his strikers’ poor finishing, emphasizing that players still lack composure in front of goal despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances.
Vietnam earned a 1-0 win against Nepal in their fourth Group F match of the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers on October 14, but head coach Kim Sang Sik expressed frustration over his team’s inability to convert opportunities into goals. The home side dominated with 62% possession, firing 23 shots — 11 on target — yet the only goal came from a Nepalese own goal.
The result helped Vietnam reach nine points after four matches (three wins, one loss), remaining in second place behind Malaysia, who lead the group with 12 points. Despite the slim scoreline, Kim Sang Sik said he was satisfied with the team’s effort but admitted their attacking performance still needs improvement.
“The match was played under difficult weather conditions,” Kim said after the game. “I’m disappointed we didn’t score more goals, but I’m happy with the win. I want to dedicate this victory to the fans who supported us.”
A heavy downpour in Ho Chi Minh City forced a 30-minute delay before kickoff, leaving the Thong Nhat Stadium pitch muddy and waterlogged. The slippery surface disrupted both teams’ passing rhythm, forcing Vietnam to rely on long balls and quick one-touch combinations to break through Nepal’s defense.
“The field condition was poor, so we couldn’t execute our full game plan,” Kim explained. “Vietnam had many scoring chances but failed to take advantage of them. Some players rushed their shots instead of staying calm in key moments. In the second half, several players began to tire, and our performance dropped.”
The match also saw five U23 players feature for the senior team, including goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien, defender Nguyen Hieu Minh, and forward Nguyen Thanh Nhan, who all started. In the second half, Nguyen Dinh Bac and Khuat Van Khang came on to add energy and creativity.
“These U23 players didn’t play because it was a ‘reward’ — they earned their place through competition,” Kim explained. “Their inclusion shows the growing internal rivalry within the team, which helps improve our overall performance. Hieu Minh and Trung Kien both played well today, while Van Khang and Dinh Bac did a solid job after coming on.”
Kim also expressed regret that striker Nguyen Tien Linh couldn’t find the net, missing the chance to tie former star Le Huynh Duc for second place on Vietnam’s all-time scoring list. “We created many good chances, but unfortunately, no one scored. I feel sorry for Tien Linh — he’s a natural finisher who moves and shoots well. I hope he can score in our next match against Laos next month,” Kim said.
Reflecting on his team’s finishing struggles, Kim noted that he had already focused on shooting drills and attacking organization following the first leg against Nepal. “We practiced finishing and decision-making in the final third, but the poor pitch conditions limited our execution,” he added. “In the next camp, I’ll focus more on improving our finishing ability and possibly call up new players for the right wing, even though Tien Anh has been performing well.”
Despite the underwhelming display, the Korean coach remains optimistic that Vietnam will improve as the qualifiers progress. His focus now turns to the upcoming away fixture against Laos on November 19, where he expects sharper finishing and a stronger all-round performance as Vietnam continue their push for a place at the 2027 Asian Cup finals.
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