Coach Park Hang-seo, 68, began with a belated congratulation, four days after the event, to U22 Vietnam for their SEA Games gold medal. He likened this achievement to a validation of the Vietnam Football Federation's (VFF) vision for developing Vietnamese football.

"This victory shows that Vietnamese football can achieve glory through its own internal strength, if they follow the right path and show enough patience," Park wrote. He also extended congratulations to coach Kim Sang-sik, his coaching staff, and the entire squad.

Coach Kim Sang-sik (left) and Park Hang-seo. *Photo: FBNV*

Park, who previously led Vietnam to an AFF Cup championship and two SEA Games gold medals, expressed pride in the players and pledged continued support for Vietnamese football. He added, "I hope the ring I gave to coach Kim will always bring him peace of mind and good fortune in the upcoming tournament. I am proud of you all and will always support Vietnamese football. Keep fighting."

Kim Sang-sik wore the black ring on his right pinky finger throughout the tournament and during his press conference on the morning of 22/12 at the VFF headquarters. Park posted photos of Kim and U22 Vietnam receiving their SEA Games 33 gold medal, with the ring clearly visible in the image.

Coach Kim Sang-sik at the Vietnam Football Federation headquarters in Tu Liem ward, Hanoi, during the press conference on the morning of 22/12/2025. *Photo: Son Tung*

Park Hang-seo led the U23 and Vietnam national teams from 2017 until his resignation in 2023. During his tenure, he guided them to the U23 Asian Championship final, the Asiad 18 semifinals, won the 2018 AFF Cup (now ASEAN Cup), reached the 2019 Asian Cup quarterfinals, and secured two SEA Games gold medals (at the 30th and 31st editions).

Kim Sang-sik, 49, is a former South Korea national team midfielder with five years of coaching experience. The VFF appointed Kim as head coach of the national and U23 Vietnam teams in 2024, succeeding Philippe Troussier. In 2025, the coach, born in 1976, led Vietnam to championships in all three official tournaments: the ASEAN Cup, U23 Southeast Asian Championship, and SEA Games.

Park and Kim were mentor and protege in the South Korea national team and now share the same management agency. Kim has stated he did not want to overshadow Park Hang-seo's legacy and expressed clear respect for Park's achievements in Vietnam. On 21/12, their joint agency posted a congratulatory message for Kim's team's achievements, which included the line: "We are very grateful for the contributions of coaches Park and Kim to the success of Vietnamese football."

Hoang An