Jakarta, Indonesia – July 25, 2025 – Following a thrilling 2-1 comeback win over U23 Philippines in the semifinals, head coach Kim Sang Sik expressed great confidence in U23 Vietnam as they prepare for the final of the 2025 ASEAN U23 Championship.
On the afternoon of July 25, U23 Vietnam earned their place in the final after an intense battle against U23 Philippines. Speaking at the post-match press conference, coach Kim shared: “I’m very happy to win and reach the final. The players gave their best, and I want to thank them. Every position performed well and executed what we had prepared. They followed the tactics closely. Although we missed many chances, we still managed to win 2-1, and I’m pleased with that.”
When asked by an Indonesian journalist about the strength of U23 Indonesia under coaches Shin Tae Yong and Gerald Vanenburg, Kim responded: “We haven’t faced U23 Indonesia yet. I’ll need to watch their match to analyze the differences between coach Shin and their current coach. But I think U23 Indonesia are stronger now. Regardless of who we face, we need to be ready.”
The Korean coach continued: “Any opponent in the final will be tough. What’s most important is that we get enough rest, stay in good physical condition, and play with the same confidence we showed today. No matter who we face, we’ll stay confident. I believe if we prepare well, we can beat anyone and win the championship.”
Kim Sang Sik also provided injury updates and player evaluations. “Regarding Quoc Viet, he has an ankle issue and will be re-evaluated tomorrow. He needs rest, and we’re still unsure whether he can play in the final,” Kim revealed. “As for Le Viktor, he’s a key player for us. But he needs to improve his ball control, finishing, and especially his confidence.”
With just four days left before the final on July 29, U23 Vietnam are gearing up both physically and mentally. The team will meet either U23 Indonesia or U23 Thailand in the final showdown, aiming for a third straight ASEAN U23 title.
Lam Van
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