South Korean media says unbelievable things about Vietnam U23

Recently, SPOTV broadcast station published an in-depth analysis, including an evaluation of coach Kim Sang Sik’s team ahead of the tournament held in Saudi Arabia starting January 6.

On its homepage, SPOTV drew attention by stating: "Coach Kim Sang Sik and the Vietnam team are contenders for the 2026 AFC U23 Championship title". This assessment shows a clear shift in how South Korean experts view Vietnamese football, especially at the U23 level.

According to SPOTV, the recent success of Vietnam U23 is not temporary but the result of a systematic development process, along with a distinct tactical imprint from Coach Kim Sang Sik. The broadcaster emphasized the confidence, fighting spirit, and consistent performance ability of the young Vietnamese players in recent major tournaments.

Notably, the broadcaster also linked this to a “familiar effect” that once marked a historic milestone for Vietnamese football. The article commented: "Mr. Kim is recreating the effect of Korean coaches on Vietnamese football, continuing the success of Mr. Park Hang Seo previously". This is seen as a strong affirmation of the growing influence of Coach Kim Sang Sik, who is receiving high expectations from both the media and fans.

In a deeper analysis, SPOTV reviewed a series of impressive results achieved by Vietnamese teams under Coach Kim Sang Sik over the past year. Victories in important matches, especially at SEA Games 33, are viewed as a foundation for Vietnam U23 to aim for higher goals on the continental stage. SPOTV also compared these achievements with the peak period under Coach Park Hang Seo, highlighting the continuity and development of Vietnamese football.

In fact, SPOTV is not the only South Korean media outlet making comparisons between the two coaches. Earlier, Korean press had lively debates on this topic. Right after Vietnam’s victory at the SEA Games, two newspapers, Newsis and Daum, expressed opposing views.

Newsis gave an impressive assessment: "Mr. Kim Sang Sik has won all three finals he has coached with Vietnam. Even Coach Park Hang Seo couldn’t achieve this". However, just one day later, Daum countered: "Mr. Kim Sang Sik still cannot compare to the legend Park Hang Seo", arguing that Mr. Park helped Vietnamese football make a stronger mark in continental competitions.

Despite differing opinions, a common point is that South Korean media pay special attention and hold a positive attitude toward current Vietnamese football. Ahead of the 2026 AFC U23 Championship,the confidence many Korean newspapers place in Vietnam U23 is not just praise but also an expectation for a new step forward for Vietnamese football on the Asian map.