Indonesia, 5 Oct 2026 – Coach Kim Sang-sik apologised to supporters and accepted full responsibility for the national team’s disappointing FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 campaign after a 1-0 defeat to Malaysia in the third-place playoff left his side fourth overall.
Speaking to the media after the loss to Malaysia, Kim acknowledged that Vietnam had fallen short of their objectives at the inaugural edition of the tournament under its new format. The South Korean coach pointed to the demanding schedule, limited preparation time and hot weather conditions as factors that made the competition particularly challenging, but stressed that his players had given everything throughout the tournament. He also thanked Vietnamese supporters for continuing to follow and back the team despite the disappointing results.
“This was the first tournament for many of the players, and Vietnam finished fourth. I feel very regretful and disappointed with this result,” Kim said. “The team had a very demanding schedule and lacked preparation time. Many players were also not in their best physical condition. As a result, things did not go according to plan. I take full responsibility for this. However, we will prepare better for 2027.”
Kim was also questioned about the refereeing during the tournament, particularly several incidents in the Malaysia match that prompted debate. However, the Vietnam coach refused to use officiating decisions as an explanation for the defeat. He reiterated his respect for the referees and made clear that his priority was to focus on Vietnam’s own shortcomings and identify areas where the team can improve.
Despite Vietnam’s disappointing finish, Kim expressed hope that the FIFA ASEAN Cup could contribute to the continued development of football across Southeast Asia and help the region narrow the gap on Asia’s leading nations. “I hope Southeast Asian football will continue to develop strongly and reach a higher level in Asia,” he said. “I hope every team in the region, including Vietnam, can achieve success.”
Looking ahead, Kim identified squad development as one of his key priorities. The Korean coach intends to continue searching for players capable of strengthening the national team while also providing greater opportunities for younger talents to develop and compete for places. “As the head coach, I will look for good players,” Kim said. “At the same time, I also need to develop young players and create healthy competition within the squad in order to improve the quality of our performances.”
The defeat to Malaysia brought Vietnam’s FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 campaign to a disappointing conclusion, with Kim’s side ultimately finishing fourth. While accepting responsibility for the outcome, the head coach is already looking towards the next phase, with improving player fitness, expanding the national-team talent pool and developing the next generation among the priorities as Vietnam prepare for their objectives in 2027.
VSN/RPT
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