Coach Kim Sang Sik traveled to Indonesia to scout Vietnam's opponents.

Coach Kim Sang Sik unexpectedly showed up in Indonesia to observe the game of the Indonesian national team, a step thought to be aimed at preparing for the 2026 ASEAN Cup.

Coach Kim Sang Sik was unexpectedly present in the stands of Gelora Bung Karno Stadium to watch the friendly match between Indonesia and Mozambique during the June FIFA Days, sparking much speculation about Vietnam's preparation plans for the 2026 ASEAN Cup.

On the evening of June 9, the South Korean tactician appeared with a colleague in the stands of Gelora Bung Karno Stadium (Jakarta), where the Indonesian national team hosted Mozambique in an international friendly. Kim Sang Sik's presence quickly drew the attention of Indonesian media and fans.

When asked about the reason for his presence in Indonesia, the 1976-born manager simply replied: "I want to watch the match of the Indonesian national team."

Although he did not reveal further details, Kim Sang Sik's move is seen as an important preparation step for the 2026 ASEAN Cup. According to the draw results, Vietnam is in Group A with Indonesia, Singapore, Cambodia, and Timor-Leste. Therefore, directly scouting the opponents is considered entirely reasonable.

During this June FIFA Days, the Vietnamese national team did not gather because the V.League is still ongoing. This allowed Coach Kim Sang Sik to take the opportunity to go to Indonesia and observe the team's potential opponents.

Besides scouting the Indonesian national team, the possibility that the South Korean tactician also combined assessing the young players participating in the 2026 Southeast Asian U19 Championship, which is being held in Indonesia, cannot be ruled out.

Notably, Coach Shin Tae Yong also appeared in the stands of Gelora Bung Karno. The former head coach of Indonesia, who now leads Persija Jakarta, also came to the stadium to watch the match.

In this encounter, Indonesia won a narrow 1-0 victory over Mozambique thanks to an early goal by Ole Romeny in the 11th minute. The result helped Coach John Herdman's team maintain their momentum ahead of the 2026 ASEAN Cup, where they are considered one of the strong contenders to compete for the championship with the Vietnamese national team.