Speaking with the media on January 26, the Korean manager reflected on U23 Vietnam’s impressive run to the bronze medal at the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026. He expressed both pride in his players and confidence in their long-term potential.

“We had to prepare carefully, especially when it came to tactics and physical conditioning,” said Kim. “After winning gold at the 33rd SEA Games, some players were fatigued, so I had to adjust the training regime. During our sessions in Saudi Arabia, we focused on strengthening the upper body so we could better compete against physically stronger opponents.”

Tactically, Coach Kim tailored drills to help his wingers and wide forwards exploit space behind high-pressing defenses. The team also emphasized set-piece efficiency to find scoring chances against more physically dominant sides.

He praised the squad’s performance in their dramatic victory over U23 South Korea. Despite losing physical duels and playing a man down in extra time, the players stayed disciplined and resilient - eventually prevailing in a tense penalty shootout.

“In one-on-one situations, our players were sometimes outmatched, but we worked on covering and backing each other up,” he explained. “I kept reminding them to capitalize on dead-ball situations. That match showed the players’ courage and tactical discipline. I’m truly proud of them.”

Coach Kim also acknowledged the team’s shortcomings in the loss to U23 China, where the injury to key player Hieu Minh disrupted their rhythm.

“We prepared thoroughly, but the match shifted when Hieu Minh had to leave. That loss hurt, and I’m very sorry about his injury. Had he stayed healthy, I believe our tournament could’ve ended even better,” Kim shared.

Still, he sees clear growth in the squad - highlighting players like Trung Kien, Hieu Minh, Van Khang, Thanh Nhan, and Dinh Bac as strong candidates for the senior team.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing how this generation develops,” Kim said. “They’ve gained experience and confidence through the SEA Games and now this continental tournament. Some of them will get their chance with the national team as early as March. Unfortunately, Dinh Bac won’t be available due to a red card suspension.”

Coach Kim also emphasized his long-term commitment, working alongside the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) on a roadmap toward World Cup qualification. He hopes to see Vietnamese players competing abroad in stronger leagues - a move he believes will elevate the country’s footballing ambitions.

“This year’s success can boost their confidence even more. Hopefully, a few of them will secure overseas opportunities, which would be a great stepping stone for Vietnamese football,” Kim concluded.

Dai Nam