Midfielder Do Hung Dung: 'We have high expectations for coach Kim Sang-sik'
Midfielder Do Hung Dung hopes that the Vietnam National Team, along with new head coach Kim Sang-sik, will bring a new breath of fresh air to Vietnamese football.
On the afternoon of June 1, the Vietnamese team under the leadership of new head coach Kim Sang-sik entered the first training session at the Vietnam Youth Football Training Center, preparing for two matches against the Philippines and Iraq in the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup in Asia.
In an interview with the media before the training session, midfielder Do Hung Dung said that the whole team felt very excited when entering this training session. He hopes that the whole team, together with new head coach Kim Sang Sik, will bring a new wind to help the team achieve victories after a long period of poor results.
“We have high expectations for the new head coach. He has a lot of experience in domestic tournaments in Korea, leading the club to compete in the K-League or AFC Champions League. Hopefully his experience will help the players develop,” said Do Hung Dung.
Sharing about the atmosphere of the team on the first day led by coach Kim Sang-sik, Do Hung Dung said: “This time the team’s competitiveness is higher, everyone is fair. Whether old or new players, they are all the same, because they are working with a new coach. Whoever follows the tactics and has good form will be trusted by the coach. Opportunities are for all players.”
With the current situation in Group F, the chance of advancing for the Vietnamese team is very small because it no longer has the right to self-determination.
However, Do Hung Dung affirmed that the spirit of the Vietnamese team is never to give up. He emphasized: "Personally, I and the whole team will try, even though the chance is small, we are still determined to win points against Iraq on the away field. Especially, in the upcoming match at home against the Philippines, the team will try to have a beautiful match, win to give to the fans."
Do Hung Dung added that coach Kim Sang-sik is quite close, perhaps because of the similar cultures between Vietnam and Korea. He also knows that the new head coach will be compared to coach Park Hang-seo - who brought the most successful period to the National Team and U23 Vietnam, but all that is in the past.
“I don’t think coach Kim Sang-sik has to create a new style of play, but the important thing is suitability. With the current personnel, form, and results, I think any style of play that is effective, brings victory, and joy to the fans is fine,” said Do Hung Dung.
