Coach Kim Sang Sik strengthens the Vietnamese national team.

Just under a month remains until the start of the 2026 ASEAN Hyundai Cup, and coach Kim Sang Sik is now in the stage of perfecting the team's strength. Korean news outlets are closely following the steps taken by the 48-year-old tactician, particularly regarding the consolidation of the coaching panel and the formation of a roster geared toward retaining the Southeast Asian title.

Multiple South Korean media outlets and newspapers, including Yonhap, Daum, and local sports sites, have simultaneously reported that former star player Kim Do Hoon has joined the Vietnamese national team's coaching staff as an assistant to coach Kim Sang Sik. According to sources, Mr. Kim Do Hoon will work with the team until the end of October 2026, accompanying them during the 2026 ASEAN Hyundai Cup campaign and subsequent training camps.

South Korean media consider this a significant addition as the Vietnamese team enters the final preparation phase before the tournament. With years of experience playing for the South Korean national team and having coached K League clubs, Kim Do Hoon is expected to assist coach Kim Sang Sik in training, opponent analysis, and enhancing the professional quality of the coaching staff.

Alongside the changes on the coaching bench, Korean press is also closely tracking the squad preparation process of the Vietnamese team. After coach Kim Sang Sik announced the training camp roster, many analyses noted that this is one of the most depth-filled lineups since the Korean strategist took charge of the team.

In particular, South Korean media have highlighted the addition of naturalized players, giving the Vietnamese team more attacking options. According to assessments, this will provide coach Kim Sang Sik with greater tactical choices in the journey to defend the ASEAN Hyundai Cup title.

Another point emphasized by Korean newspapers is coach Kim Sang Sik's philosophy in selecting players. Rather than prioritizing familiar faces, he has been regularly attending V-League matches to personally monitor each player's form before making final decisions.

According to South Korean media, this approach fosters fair competition in every position, as current form is valued above reputation or past contributions. This is also seen as a factor that helps the Vietnamese team maintain motivation and enhance internal competitive quality ahead of the major tournament.

Commentaries also suggest that coach Kim Sang Sik's goal extends beyond just defending the Southeast Asian championship. The 2026 ASEAN Hyundai Cup is viewed as an important stepping stone for him to refine the team framework for the 2027 Asian Cup finals.

The addition of an experienced assistant, continued close monitoring of player performances in the V-League, and building the squad with an open competitive approach show that coach Kim Sang Sik is carefully preparing step by step for the biggest campaign of the Vietnamese national team in 2026.

According to South Korean media assessments, this is also a decisive period for the Korean coach to assert his imprint after winning the Southeast Asian championship, while steering the Vietnamese team toward greater goals on the continental stage.