Coach Kim Sang Sik receives prestigious honor from Vietnam government

Hanoi, 4 May 2026 – Vietnam Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra has signed document No. 780/QĐ-TTg to award Certificates of Merit from the Prime Minister to four members of the Vietnam U22 national team coaching staff following their success at the SEA Games 33 in Thailand.

The awards were given in recognition of their outstanding contributions in guiding the Vietnam U22 men’s football team to the gold medal at the regional tournament. The honored coaches include head coach Kim Sang Sik, along with assistant coaches Yoon Dong Hun, Lee Jung Soo, and Lee Woon Jae.

Vietnam entered SEA Games 33 with a youthful squad, but one that had been carefully prepared. Under the leadership of Kim Sang Sik, the team quickly showed why it was considered one of the tournament favorites. During the group stage, Vietnam delivered convincing performances against teams such as Laos and Malaysia, finishing top of the group with a perfect record.

The semifinal against the Philippines proved to be a tougher challenge, as their opponents played with strong discipline and organization. However, Vietnam remained composed throughout the match and secured a solid 2-0 victory to book a place in the final.

The gold-medal match against Thailand lived up to expectations as one of the biggest clashes in Southeast Asian football. Vietnam found themselves trailing early, but the players responded with determination and gradually regained control of the game. The team managed to level the score at 2-2 by the end of regular time before showing greater composure and fitness in extra time to score the winning goal and claim a dramatic 3-2 victory.

Winning the SEA Games 33 gold medal was more than just another regional title. It highlighted the clear progress of Vietnam’s young generation of players, who impressed with their discipline, fighting spirit, and maturity throughout the tournament. The triumph also reinforced Vietnam’s growing reputation in Southeast Asian football and provided a strong foundation for even bigger ambitions in the future.

VSN/RPT