Coach Kim Sang Sik and his coaching staff received a Certificate of Commendation from the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister has decided to honor Coach Kim Sang Sik and his three Korean assistants for their achievement in leading the Vietnam U22 team to a dramatic gold medal win at the 33rd SEA Games.
Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra, on behalf of the Prime Minister, recently signed Decision No. 780/QD-TTg awarding a Certificate of Commendation to Head Coach Kim Sang Sik and his colleagues. This is a well-deserved recognition for the remarkable achievement of the Vietnam U22 team in defending its regional football position with a Gold Medal at the 33rd SEA Games held in Thailand in 2025.
Honoring the South Korean team of strategists.
The list of honorees includes head coach Kim Sang Sik and his three trusted assistants: Yoon Dong Hun, Lee Jung Soo, and Lee Woon Jae. All four South Korean strategists were recognized for their outstanding coaching and leadership abilities, helping the Vietnam U22 team overcome immense pressure to become the top team in Southeast Asia.
The combination of Coach Kim's modern tactical thinking and the practical experience of his assistants, such as Lee Woon Jae (a legendary former South Korean national team goalkeeper), has created a disciplined and resilient U22 Vietnam team. The Prime Minister's commendation is not only a personal reward but also affirms the State's deep concern for the training and development of youth football.
The journey to subdue the host nation Thailand.
Looking back at their glorious journey, the Vietnam U22 team displayed a dominant performance right from the group stage, successively defeating Laos U22 and Malaysia U22 with a perfect winning record. In the semi-finals, against a disciplined Philippines U22 team, coach Kim Sang Sik's players still completely controlled the game and secured a convincing 2-0 victory.
The final match against arch-rival Thailand was considered one of the most dramatic moments in the history of the rivalry between the two footballing nations. Despite falling behind, the Vietnam U22 team showed steely determination to equalize 2-2 in regular time. In extra time, their superior physical condition helped the Golden Star Warriors score the decisive goal, securing a 3-2 victory and defending their prestigious gold medal.
The victory at the 33rd SEA Games not only brought home the title but also demonstrated the remarkable maturity of the young players. This achievement is expected to become a solid springboard to help Vietnamese football aim for further goals in continental competitions and World Cup qualifiers in the near future.
