Kim Sang Sik wants Vietnam's players to remember one thing when they walk onto the My Dinh pitch against Thailand: they have the chance to write history.
Vietnam carry a 2-0 advantage into the second leg of the ASEAN Cup 2026 final after defeating Thailand at Rajamangala.
If they complete the job in Hanoi, it will be the first time Vietnam have successfully defended the Southeast Asian championship.
"Vietnam are only one final match away from the championship," Kim said. "We have trained for months to get here. The whole team will try to produce a good match and give the supporters beautiful memories. This match will be written into the history of Vietnamese football. The players are the main characters in that story. I hope the supporters come to the stadium in large numbers and cheer for the national team."
Vietnam's previous regional titles came in 2008 and 2018.
Vietnam are confident of another strong performance against Thailand in the second leg.
Henrique Calisto's champions were unable to retain the trophy after the 2008 triumph, while Park Hang Seo's side also failed to successfully defend the title won in 2018.
Kim now stands one match away from breaking that pattern.
Yet the South Korean coach is refusing to treat the first-leg advantage as a guarantee.
Thailand created several dangerous opportunities in Bangkok, particularly during the opening half, forcing goalkeeper Patrik Le Giang into important saves.
Kim therefore expects another demanding 90 minutes.
"We have prepared for this match for more than two months," he said. "The team has not had much time with our families, and that is a sacrifice. We won the first leg 2-0 and now we are focused on the return match. We cannot become complacent and let the title slip away. The players themselves know what they have to do and what mentality they need."
Kim Sang Sik and Vietnam are determined to make history by successfully defending the ASEAN Cup title.
Kim's work with Vietnam has also attracted considerable attention in his native South Korea.
Speaking to South Korean reporters covering the final, he thanked them for following the team's campaign and expressed hope that Dinh Bac could eventually develop his career overseas.
"I would once again like to see Dinh Bac perform not only domestically but also abroad," Kim said. "He has plenty of potential to develop if he plays football in Japan or South Korea."
The mood became lighter when Kim was asked about a possible celebration.
The coach has promised that if Vietnam lift the trophy, he may mark the occasion with a hip-hop dance.
"If the players and supporters want it, I'll dance," Kim said. "I hope I can dance with the players in celebration. The whole team will dance, not just me."
There will be no dancing before the final whistle, however.
Vietnam have a two-goal lead, home advantage, a deep squad and a 25-match unbeaten streak.
But for Kim, history remains something that must still be earned.
Ninety minutes at My Dinh stand between Vietnam and a title defence no previous generation of the national team has achieved.
Vietnamnet.vn
Podcast
.svg){kind=icon}
