From luck to strategy

In May 2024, Kim Sang Sik was appointed as the head coach to replace Philippe Troussier, tasked with a challenging mission: to bring Vietnamese football back to its winning ways after a prolonged period of underachievement.

The new coach faced a daunting situation as both fans and players were struggling with diminished morale and faith in the team.

However, one could also argue that this presented an element of fortune for Kim Sang Sik, as expectations and pressure on him were relatively low, giving him more freedom to implement changes.

For instance, his initial objective of leading Vietnam to the 2024 ASEAN Cup final was a modest target that allowed him breathing room compared to higher stakes.

His luck didn’t stop there. The naturalized striker Xuan Son bolstered the squad, while several rival teams arrived at the tournament with weakened lineups.

Leaving his mark

Despite some fortuitous moments during Vietnam’s journey to the ASEAN Cup title, Kim Sang Sik’s tactical impact was undeniable.

He laid a solid foundation for the team and made crucial adjustments that significantly influenced their performance.

One of the key factors was the team’s playing style. With limited time to prepare, Kim Sang Sik opted for a practical approach, ensuring a cohesive strategy.

The results were clear: Vietnam remained unbeaten across all eight matches and conceded the fewest goals in the tournament.

In addition, his strategy of rotating players was a masterstroke in a tournament with a grueling schedule. All players, except third-choice goalkeeper Trung Kien, saw action, demonstrating Kim’s ability to effectively manage his squad.

Perhaps his bold decisions stood out the most. For example, he benched goalkeeper Nguyen Filip, widely regarded as the team’s best shot-stopper, in favor of Dinh Trieu, who was initially considered less capable.

Similarly, he kept key players like Tuan Hai and Quang Hai on the bench for much of the tournament, while giving opportunities to lesser-known talents such as Ngoc Tan.

Not all of these choices were flawless, but most yielded positive results, contributing significantly to Vietnam’s championship win.

By selecting a balanced playing style and building a cohesive team, Kim Sang Sik helped Vietnam regain confidence after a prolonged period of underperformance.

The team’s convincing victories over Thailand in both legs of the final highlighted their revival under Kim’s leadership, culminating in a triumphant 2024 ASEAN Cup campaign.

Duy Nguyen