The Vietnam national football team, led by coach Kim Sang-sik, made a strong statement in their opening match of the ASEAN Football Championship, often referred to as the 'World Cup of Southeast Asia.' Vietnam defeated East Timor 7-0, taking the lead in Group A and setting a new record of 19 consecutive matches without a loss under Kim's management.
In the match held on the night of July 24, Vietnam showcased their superiority, securing three points and a significant goal difference right from the start of the group stage. This victory marked the largest margin of victory for the team since Kim took over, highlighting their offensive strength.
Kim Sang-sik's Team Sets New Unbeaten Record
With the win against East Timor, Vietnam extended their unbeaten streak to 19 matches under Kim Sang-sik, who has recorded 17 wins and 2 draws since taking charge. This achievement surpasses the previous record of 18 matches without a loss set between 2016 and 2018 under coaches Nguyen Huu Thang, Mai Duc Chung, and Park Hang-seo.
Kim took over the team in mid-2024 and quickly stabilized the squad, maintaining momentum after winning the ASEAN Cup 2024. The decisive victory against East Timor demonstrated that Vietnam continues to perform at a high level even after reaching the top.
The last time Vietnam lost in any competition was in September 2024, when they fell 2-1 to Thailand in the LPBank Cup.
However, Vietnam's 7-0 win is not the largest margin in ASEAN Cup history. The record remains with Indonesia, who defeated the Philippines 13-1 in 2002. For Vietnam, this match ranks among their strongest victories in the ASEAN Cup, following a 9-0 win over Laos in the group stage in 2007.
After the match, Nguyen Dinh Bac credited the team's month-long preparation for their success, stating, "We prepared very thoroughly for this tournament, and this victory is the result of that process. We will continue to strive for a successful ASEAN Cup." He expressed satisfaction with his hat trick and noted that his celebration dance was inspired by Brazilian players.
Coach Kim praised the players' execution of tactics, saying, "I am very pleased that the players showcased nearly perfect execution of what the coaching staff prepared, and scoring many goals will give them confidence. I hope they maintain this confidence for the next match."
Kim also thanked the Vietnamese fans who braved inclement weather to support the team, saying, "Despite the poor weather, many fans came to cheer us on, which motivated the entire team. We will work hard to show even better performance in the upcoming matches."
East Timor's coach, Jose Pedro, acknowledged the disparity in strength between the teams, stating, "We faced a very strong team, and Vietnam has many excellent players. Mistakes led to our defeat, but Vietnam played really well." He noted that conceding early made it difficult to execute their game plan and emphasized the need for his young team to learn and improve.
Pedro also commended Vietnam for not resting key players, recognizing their serious approach to the match. He remarked, "I anticipated a tough match, and it was indeed challenging to face a strong team. Vietnam respected us by not excluding their key players."
Looking ahead, Vietnam is already focusing on their next match against Singapore. Coach Kim stated, "We will continue our training and select the best 11 players for the match against Singapore," emphasizing the importance of player recovery and performance assessment beyond the 7-0 victory.
The upcoming match against Singapore is crucial for the competition in Group A, as both teams secured three points in their opening matches. Vietnam's significant win against East Timor has also given them an advantageous goal difference. The match is scheduled for July 31 at the My Dinh National Stadium in Vietnam.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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