Indonesian fans: 'Coach Kim Sang Sik, you've got it wrong!'

The presence of Coach Kim Sang Sik in Jakarta has attracted considerable interest, yet numerous Indonesian supporters think that his observations will not truly represent the power of the Indonesian squad in the 2026 ASEAN Cup.

Coach Kim Sang Sik became a hot topic among Indonesian fans after appearing in the stands of Gelora Bung Karno Stadium to watch the friendly match between Indonesia and Mozambique during the June FIFA Days. The South Korean tactician's move was seen as an effort to gather intelligence on a direct rival of the Vietnam national team ahead of the 2026 ASEAN Cup.

On the evening of June 9, Coach Kim Sang Sik was in Jakarta with a colleague, directly observing the match of the Indonesian team. When asked by local media about the reason for his presence, he gave a brief reply: "I want to watch the match of the Indonesian national team." However, instead of worrying about Vietnam's thorough preparation, many Indonesian fans believe this scouting trip is unlikely to yield the desired results.

On Indonesian football forums, most opinions focus on the likelihood that the national team will field a completely different lineup at the 2026 ASEAN Cup. This perspective has sparked a notable wave of debate after images of Coach Kim Sang Sik at Gelora Bung Karno went viral.

One fan commented: "Rivals don't need to take it so seriously, because Indonesia will only use their B team in the upcoming AFF Cup!" Similar views have been widely expressed on social media. Another user wrote: "Their coach is mistaken because in the upcoming tournament, Indonesia will only use their second-string squad, not the strongest lineup that is currently on the pitch."

Many Indonesian fans believe that their team will not bring their best squad to the ASEAN Cup—unlike during the FIFA Days. Instead, players based in Europe are expected to be reserved for more important competitions. One opinion stated: "Indonesia will only use domestic players in the 2026 AFF Cup, while the strongest team, bolstered by players from Europe, will be saved for the FIFA ASEAN Cup."

However, not all Indonesian fans downplayed Coach Kim Sang Sik's trip. One supporter still showed respect for the South Korean strategist, writing: "Regardless, the Korean coach is extremely professional. Coming to scout us shows that he respects Indonesia greatly, and also demonstrates his determination to win the AFF Cup with Vietnam through thorough preparation."

In the match directly observed by Coach Kim Sang Sik, Indonesia defeated Mozambique 1-0 thanks to an early goal by Ole Romeny in the 11th minute. Also present in the stands was Coach Shin Tae Yong, who currently leads Persija Jakarta. While Vietnam and Indonesia are in the same Group A of the 2026 ASEAN Cup alongside Singapore, Cambodia, and Timor-Leste, fans of the archipelago remain convinced that what Coach Kim Sang Sik witnessed in Jakarta may not reflect the true face of the opponent Vietnam will face in the upcoming tournament. "Either way, the match between Vietnam and Indonesia will still be very exciting! I'm really looking forward to this showdown at the 2026 AFF Cup," one fan shared.