* Vietnam - Myanmar: 7 p.m. Saturday, 18/7, on VnExpress.

Coach Kim Sang-sik is currently with the Vietnam national team in Thai Nguyen, preparing for a friendly match against Myanmar tomorrow evening. The team has been in training for over four weeks for the ASEAN Cup, and the coaching staff also arranged for players to watch some matches of the 2026 World Cup.

"This year's tournament is compelling. We watched some matches together", Coach Kim stated. "Watching them, I dreamed and longed for Vietnam to also be there. It is a unique and excellent competitive environment for players".

Coach Kim Sang-sik (left) and captain Nguyen Quang Hai attend a press conference at Thai Nguyen Stadium on the afternoon of 17/7, before the friendly match between Vietnam and Myanmar. Photo: Minh Minh

Vietnam's best World Cup performance was reaching the third qualification round for the 2022 tournament, under Coach Park Hang-seo. However, the team endured a streak of 7 consecutive losses against Japan, Arab Saudi, Australia, Oman, and Trung Quoc. Their only victory was a 3-1 win against Trung Quoc in early 2022.

During his playing career, Kim Sang-sik participated in the 2006 World Cup in Germany with the South Korea national team, but they were eliminated in the group stage. In the current tournament, Kim's successors experienced a similar outcome. This tournament is nearing its conclusion, with England facing France in the bronze medal match, while Spain plays Argentina in the final.

Before the final, Vietnam will play a friendly match against Myanmar at Thai Nguyen Stadium tomorrow. This is the final warm-up after more than four weeks of training. During two weeks in South Korea, Vietnam played three practice matches, starting with a 6-0 victory against Siheung FC, a K-League 3 team equivalent to Vietnam's second division. The team then secured 2-1 wins against Yongqin FC (K-League 2) and Gangwon FC (K-League 1).

The Vietnam national team trains at Thai Nguyen Stadium on 17/7. Photo: Giang Huy

In the 2024 ASEAN Cup, Vietnam defeated Myanmar 5-0, featuring the debut of naturalized Brazilian striker Nguyen Xuan Son. Two years later, Myanmar has undergone changes, especially with Coach Jon Andersen taking charge. The Danish coach previously led Nguyen Cong Phuong at Incheon United in K-League 1 in 2019. In 2023, he coached Hong Kong, losing 0-1 to Vietnam in a friendly match.

"The new coach has motivated the Myanmar players to perform better. Coach Jon's capabilities are also proven in K-League 1", Coach Kim stated. "However, we still aim to score many goals against Myanmar, as we want to repay the affection shown by Thai Nguyen fans to the team in recent days".

The coach, born in 1976, wants his players to perform at their best to achieve optimal form before the ASEAN Cup. Players must demonstrate the results of four weeks of training and ensure no one sustains injuries. Previously, Le Ngoc Bao, Khuat Van Khang, Do Duy Manh, and Ngo Dang Khoa left the team. Coach Kim recently added central defender Khong Minh Gia Bao. The current squad comprises 25 players, one short of the maximum registration limit.

Coach Kim Sang-sik also favors a 3-4-3 formation. Compared to the 2024 ASEAN Cup, Vietnam currently possesses a stronger attack. Three naturalized Brazilian players, Nguyen Xuan Son, Do Hoang Hen, Nguyen Tai Loc, combine with veterans Nguyen Quang Hai, Nguyen Hoang Duc, Nguyen Hai Long, and rising young talents Nguyen Dinh Bac, Nguyen Ngoc My. However, he emphasized that the team does not rely on individuals but plays as a unified unit.

"The team currently has a much improved attack, with many quality players", Coach Kim Sang-sik said at this afternoon's press conference before the friendly against Myanmar. "We can build many quality attacking combinations, but we need to find the best combination for each match to achieve the desired results".

Hieu Luong