Coach Kim Sang-sik: "The second half is the true face of the Vietnamese team"

In the post-match press conference, coach Kim Sang-sik admitted that the Vietnamese team had difficulties in the first half, when the players did not take advantage of their opportunities and lacked cohesion in their playing style. “The first half did not really meet expectations, but we adjusted our tactics and made effective substitutions to improve the situation,” said Mr. Kim.

He also reserved special praise for his players’ fighting spirit after the break. Goals from Hai Long, Tien Linh, Van Toan and Van Vi in the second half proved the accuracy of his tactical adjustments. “The players showed good concentration and adaptability. I was particularly pleased with the way they finished the situations,” he shared.

However, coach Kim did not forget to remind about the situation that led to the final goal. He commented: “We need to improve our concentration in the final minutes, especially in controlling the ball in sensitive areas. This is a necessary lesson against stronger opponents.”

The 4-1 victory helped Vietnam maintain their top spot in the group, but Mr. Kim stressed that the team cannot afford to be complacent. “The journey is still long, and we need to maintain our form in the upcoming matches,” he concluded.