Seoul, 10 May 2026 – South Korean media have shown major interest in the Vietnam national team following the draw for the AFC Asian Cup 2027, which placed Vietnam in Group E alongside South Korea, UAE, and the winner of the playoff between Lebanon and Yemen.
The matchup has quickly become one of the most talked-about storylines in Korean football, mainly because Vietnam are currently coached by Kim Sang Sik. Shortly after the draw was confirmed, Korean outlet Nate Sports ran the headline: “South Korea to face Kim Sang-sik’s Vietnam!”. The article described Vietnam as an emerging Southeast Asian football power under Kim’s leadership and warned that they could become a difficult opponent for the Korean side.
Meanwhile, Xports News also focused heavily on the reunion between Kim Sang Sik and his home country. The outlet described the encounter as one of the most intriguing fixtures of the group stage, saying the clash between South Korea and Vietnam in Saudi Arabia is expected to attract huge attention from fans and media alike.
Korean newspaper Footballist highlighted the emotional and symbolic aspect of the matchup. According to the report, Vietnam’s coaching staff now includes several figures familiar to Korean football fans, such as Namgoong Do, Lee Woon Jae, and Yoon Dong-hoon. In particular, Lee Woon-jae previously worked closely with South Korea head coach Hong Myung Bo during his time with the Korean national team, adding another layer of interest to the showdown.
While giving Vietnam significant respect, Korean media also believe their national team received a relatively manageable group. Xports News noted that South Korea avoided dangerous opponents such as Qatar, Jordan, and Iraq, with many expecting the group stage to serve as the perfect platform for Hong Myung-bo’s side to build momentum toward a title challenge.
Still, there remains a sense of caution within Korean football. The painful 0-2 defeat to Jordan in the semi-finals of the 2024 Asian Cup and the dismissal of Jurgen Klinsmann continue to cast a shadow over the team. South Korea are under growing pressure to finally end their long wait for continental glory, having won the Asian Cup only twice, in 1956 and 1960.
Korean outlet OSEN stressed that the upcoming tournament, scheduled from January 7 to February 5, 2027 in Saudi Arabia, represents a huge opportunity for South Korea to restore their image and finally reclaim the Asian crown after 67 years.
VSN/RPT
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