Korean media reveals the unsung duo of assistant coaches who helped Vietnam U23 transform at the Asian tournament.
Lee Won Jae and Lee Jung Soo are considered by the South Korean media to be key players who helped coach Kim Sang Sik lead the Vietnam U23 team to a bronze medal at the U23 Asian Championship.
The rise of the Vietnam U23 team at the 2026 AFC U23 Championship is not solely attributed to head coach Kim Sang Sik. According to Dongpo News (South Korea), his two assistants, Lee Won Jae and Lee Jung Soo, were the unsung heroes behind the team's historic bronze medal.
Having been teammates of Kim Sang Sik on the South Korean national team, this trio has recreated their on-field chemistry on the coaching bench. Lee Jung Soo and Lee Won Jae, in particular, play a crucial role in improving even the smallest details of the young players' performance.
Lee Jung Soo: The mastermind behind the dead ball scenes.
Dubbed the tactical mastermind, Coach Lee Jung Soo has breathed new life into the Vietnamese U23 attack. Despite playing as a center-back, Lee possesses an impressive goal-scoring instinct with 35 goals throughout his career. This experience has allowed him to transform set pieces into a sharp weapon.
Specifically, the 45-year-old assistant coach directly designed the tactical arrangements for corner kicks and free kicks. With at least 11 headed goals in his prime, Lee Jung Soo has taught young players the skills of positioning and finishing in the air, making the Vietnam U23 team significantly more dangerous in aerial duels.
Lee Won Jae: A solid pillar in goal.
While Lee Jung Soo handles the attack, Lee Won Jae is the one who solidifies the defense. Born in 1973, he is a legend of Korean football with a record 133 appearances. The presence of such a renowned goalkeeper has helped the young Vietnamese goalkeepers feel more confident than ever.
The most memorable performance of this assistant coach was in the third-place match at the recent AFC U23 Asian Championship. During the tense penalty shootout, Coach Kim Sang Sik completely entrusted Lee Won Jae with the coaching duties. The final result, a breathtaking victory, proved the masterful psychological analysis and professional expertise of this assistant coach.
The combination of a smart defensive shield at center back and a legendary goalkeeper has created a unified coaching staff. This is the core foundation that has enabled Coach Kim Sang Sik to deliver magical performances for Vietnamese football fans, affirming the team's new position on the continental football map.