Football

Coach Kim Sang-sik (in black) and Vietnamese players and staff tribute supporters after their semi-final match against Malaysia on August 16. — Photos courtesy of VFF

HÀ NỘI — Coach Kim Sang-sik said his Vietnamese players were much more hungry for the title than he was in the ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026 final's first leg match against Thailand in Bangkok’s Rajamangala Stadium on August 22.

The South Korean expert and Việt Nam squad will have their second gold-medal match together and aim to make history by defending their title for the first time.

They will be looking to add to the regional crowns won in 2008, 2018 and 2024 but, with the country never claiming consecutive titles, the coach had his eyes on breaking new ground.

“After winning the last ASEAN Championship, we’re in the final again so this is history for Vietnam football and I don’t want to miss this chance,” Kim said at a press conference on August 21.

“The players want to become champions and I hope we can prove that on the pitch. We’re the defending champions and we’re going to do everything to win.

“Currently all the players are preparing well. They’re all in good condition. I believe all the players will perform well in Rajamangala Stadium, we have good memories of winning here twice. So we have had the championship experience and everything’s going to be fine.”

Kim’s team secured a 3-2 victory in the iconic Bangkok venue to complete a 5-3 aggregate success in 2024 and the former Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors coach was attempting to emulate.

"This is an opportunity for Việt Nam to make history and we will definitely not miss it. Players' determination to lift the trophy is much more intense than mine. I believe they will have a good match tomorrow, battling with pride and desire to win," said Kim.

Midfielder Đỗ Hoàng Hên wants to have title with VIệt Nam in his first major tournament.

Accompanying Kim at the conference was midfielder Đỗ Hoàng Hên, one of three Brazilian-born players of Việt Nam.

“We’ve worked so hard for this moment,” said Hên. “We prepared well, we even went to South Korea for intensive training.

“We have been doing a very good job and I think it’s the right moment. We have to do a great first game and then go back to Việt Nam and try to finish the work there.”

Hên was determined to pick up his first title since gaining citizenship last year.

“For me of course it’s special, it’s my first tournament,” said the Hà Nội FC player who has scored two goals this tournament. “To represent Việt Nam is something amazing. I’ve lived a long time in the country, I love Việt Nam and the Vietnamese people. It would be special to give them this gift, especially with the second leg at home in front of our fans.”

Thailand's confidence

Thailand coach Anthony Hudson conceded the visiting side were the favourites to win the trophy but his squad were also impressive.

“Việt Nam have their full-strength team this tournament,” said Hudson. “They’ve been in camp for a couple of months in South Korea, three friendly matches, so I think Việt Nam, on paper right now, are the favourites."

But the English manager believed that the pressure was on Việt Nam to win the game while his own squad, which mixed experienced players and young talents, strongly developed.

“In the beginning of the tournament, everyone wrote us off. Everything I read said: ‘The group’s no good’, ‘Why’s he picking this squad?’, ‘This team will not get out of the group’," he said.

“The team, for me, have done an incredible job to get to this point, but when you get to a final anything can happen. The players have shown me in this tournament that they’ve been able to overcome some difficult moments.”

“We also have qualities in our team that we know they can go out there and get a win for Thailand,” said Hudson.

Two teams met 15 times in this biennial tournament, in which Thailand won seven, drew four and lost four. Among the meets were three two-leg finals where Việt Nam recorded three wins, including a 2-1 and 3-2 victories in the 2024 edition. Thailand won one and two matches ended in draws.

The August 22 match will be kicked off on 8pm while the return game will be held four days later in Hà Nội. — VNS