Coach Kim Sang Sik expressed satisfaction with Vietnam’s dominant 5-0 victory over Laos in their opening match of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, but he also voiced some regret.

“A lot of fans came to Go Dau Stadium to cheer for the Vietnamese team, and I sincerely thank them for their passionate support. The 5-0 victory is a gift for the fans,” Coach Kim Sang Sik said after the match.

He added, “Regarding the game, I didn’t see anything negative. If there’s one regret, it’s that I couldn’t give more opportunities to players on the bench.”

The Vietnamese head coach also explained his decision to utilize Van Vi in a more attacking role: “Van Vi performed well during the 2024 ASEAN Cup. With the competitive nature of the Vietnamese team, I chose Van Vi because of his consistent form.”

Regarding Minh Khoa, Coach Kim Sang Sik praised the young player: “Minh Khoa played quite well. I made the right choice for his position and believe he can continue to improve.”

Speaking about newly naturalized player Jason Quang Vinh, the coach remarked: “He is a good and high-quality player. In football, competition helps everyone get better, but my decisions will depend on the players’ form.”

On the opposing side, Laos coach Ha Hyeok Jun congratulated the Vietnamese team, acknowledging their strength: “I congratulate the Vietnam team. We know they are a strong, well-organized, and strategically sound team.”

Coach Ha Hyeok Jun also spoke about the youthfulness of the Laotian squad: “Our players are young - not because I’m preparing for the SEA Games, but because they are the best players Laos has at the moment. We aim to narrow the gap between Laos and Vietnam in the future.”

Duy Nguyen