Former South Korean player becomes assistant for coach Kim Sang-sik

Former midfielder Kim Do-heon joins the Vietnam national team's coaching staff as an assistant to head coach Kim Sang-sik for the ASEAN Cup 2026 campaign.

The Vietnam national football team has welcomed former South Korean midfielder Kim Do-heon to its coaching staff. He will serve as an assistant to head coach Kim Sang-sik for the upcoming ASEAN Cup 2026 campaign. The team gathered today, 22/6, in Hanoi to commence preparations. Kim Do-heon replaces Lee Jung-soo, who departed in 4 to become head coach of Thai club Kanchanaburi.

Born in 1982, Kim Do-heon was a prominent midfielder in South Korean football. He played professionally for three overseas clubs, notably making a significant impact with West Bromwich Albion in the English Premier League during the 2008-2009 season, where he appeared in 25 matches and scored one goal.

West Brom midfielder Kim Do-heon (yellow shirt) dribbles past Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic during a Premier League match at Stamford Bridge, London on 26/12/2008. Photo: AFP

In South Korea, Kim Do-heon played for clubs such as Suwon FC, Seongnam FC, and Police FC, earning a place in the K-League Best XI for 4 consecutive seasons. On the international stage, he represented the South Korea national team in 62 matches, scoring 12 goals, and was a member of the squad that participated in the 2006 World Cup.

After retiring as a player, Kim Do-heon transitioned into coaching. His coaching stints include roles at Suwon Samsung Bluewings, Chengdu Rongcheng in China, and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. Kim Do-heon shares a close relationship with head coach Kim Sang-sik, as both previously played together for Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma and the South Korea national team.

Following the initial gathering, the Vietnam national team will train in Hanoi before traveling to South Korea for a training camp starting 2/7. The squad will then return to Vietnam to play a friendly match against Myanmar on 18/7 at Thai Nguyen Stadium. Coach Kim Sang-sik will finalize the official squad for the ASEAN Cup 2026 after this friendly.

The ASEAN Cup 2026 is scheduled to take place from 24/7 to 8/8. Vietnam has been drawn into Group A, alongside Indonesia, Cambodia, Singapore, and Timor Leste. Coach Kim's team will begin its title defense campaign with an opening match against Timor Leste on 24/7.

The Vietnam national team squad is as follows:

Goalkeepers (three): Tran Trung Kien (HAGL), Dang Van Lam (Ninh Binh), Patrik Le Giang (CA TP HCM)

Defenders (11): Phan Tuan Tai (The Cong), Nguyen Thanh Chung (Ha Noi), Do Duy Manh (Ha Noi), Pham Xuan Manh (Ha Noi), Truong Tien Anh (Ninh Binh), Le Ngoc Bao (Ninh Binh), Doan Van Hau (CA Ha Noi), Bui Hoang Viet Anh (CA Ha Noi), Nguyen Van Vi (Nam Dinh), Nguyen Nhat Minh (Hai Phong), Dinh Quang Kiet (HAGL)

Midfielders (nine): Khuat Van Khang (The Cong), Nguyen Hai Long (Ha Noi), Do Hoang Hen (Ha Noi), Nguyen Hoang Duc (Ninh Binh), Le Pham Thanh Long (CA Ha Noi), Le Van Do (CA Ha Noi), Nguyen Quang Hai (CA Ha Noi), Ngo Dang Khoa (CA TP HCM), Nguyen Ngoc My (Ninh Binh)

Forwards (five): Pham Gia Hung (Ninh Binh), Nguyen Tai Loc (Ninh Binh), Nguyen Dinh Bac (CA Ha Noi), Nguyen Xuan Son (Thep Xanh Nam Dinh), Nguyen Tran Viet Cuong (Becamex TP HCM).