Vietnam's preparations suggest that Kim has accomplished much of what he set out to achieve before the tournament.

After nearly a month of training, the team recorded four victories while, perhaps more importantly, avoiding any significant new injuries before departing for Thailand. Those results have provided a solid foundation for Vietnam's title defense.

Yet the most valuable asset Kim brings to the tournament is not an unbeaten run in friendly matches or an impressive goal tally. It is the confidence his players have in both themselves and their coach.

The South Korean coach is likely to be particularly pleased with the variety of attacking options now available.

Xuan Son has continued his prolific scoring form, while Dinh Bac has adapted well to a new role.

Hoang Hen has continued to impress, and experienced players including Quang Hai, Hoang Duc, Hai Long and Tai Loc have all demonstrated the versatility to perform in multiple positions.

That flexibility represents one of the biggest differences between this Vietnam squad and previous editions.

Rather than depending on a handful of standout individuals, Kim now has numerous combinations at his disposal, allowing him to tailor his tactics to different opponents. In a short tournament with a demanding schedule, such squad depth could prove decisive.

The real journey begins now

Even so, everything Vietnam has accomplished over the past month remains only preparation. The ASEAN Cup presents an entirely different challenge.

Victories over three Korean club sides and Myanmar offered encouraging signs, but they were ultimately only reference points rather than definitive measures of the team's readiness.

Kim's priority now is to translate the promise shown on the training ground into competitive performances, beginning with the opening match against Timor-Leste before sustaining consistency throughout the title defense.

The team still has areas to improve.

The friendly against Myanmar exposed occasional gaps between midfield and defense, creating spaces that stronger opponents could exploit. Those mistakes may not have proved costly in a warm-up fixture, but they could become far more significant later in the tournament.

For that reason, the flight to Thailand marks more than a change of venue. It signals the end of experimentation and the beginning of a phase in which every tactical decision made by Kim Sang Sik will be judged by results on the pitch.

Vietnam arrives with confidence, a deeper squad and greater tactical flexibility. Above all, however, the team carries the determination to retain its ASEAN Cup crown.

Only if the work completed over the past month is transformed into a convincing performance against Timor-Leste can Kim truly say that Vietnam has arrived at the ASEAN Cup 2026 with a single objective: defending its championship.

Duy Nguyen