Coach Kim Sang-sik: 'Winning is the top goal, but we are not subjective'
Coach Kim Sang-sik affirmed that the Vietnamese team had carefully studied their opponent Laos and was determined to win, but the team was not allowed to be subjective.
On the afternoon of March 24, a press conference was held before the opening match between Vietnam and Laos in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. At the beginning of the press conference, coach Kim Sang-sik emphasized the importance of the opening match and the goals of the Vietnamese team in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.
"The most important thing is still to qualify. To do this, the first match against Laos is very important, and so is the match against Malaysia. I hope the whole team will score many goals, because goal difference is an important factor in the race for a ticket to the next round. However, the most important goal is still to win," coach Kim Sang-sik affirmed.
The Korean strategist also expects the Vietnamese team to decide the match early in the first half. "I hope the players can score many goals in the first half against Laos, thereby creating an early advantage to better control the match."
This statement shows that the coaching staff is aiming for an overwhelming game from the start, taking advantage of home field to win convincingly. At the same time, coach Kim Sang-sik also has a long-term view, not only focusing on the match with Laos but also preparing for the important challenge with Malaysia - a direct competitor for the ticket to the next round.
Besides the team's tactics and common goals, coach Kim Sang-sik also updated the squad situation, especially the case of midfielder Xuan Son.
"Xuan Son is recovering well, the whole team hopes he will return soon. In tomorrow's match, Tien Linh will take on an important role in place of Xuan Son. I always trust Linh and believe that he will do well in the assigned task," he shared.
Coach Kim Sang-sik's trust in Tien Linh shows that this striker is not only responsible for scoring goals but also plays an important role in the team's overall play. In the context of Xuan Son's absence, Tien Linh will be the key factor to lead the attack, especially when he is in stable form and eager to contribute at home in Binh Duong.
With both professional and mental motivation, Tien Linh and the Vietnamese team promise to have an explosive performance in the opening match against Laos, creating a favorable premise for the journey to conquer the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers./.
