Coach Kim Sang Sik returns to South Korea after father's death, Vietnam team faces challenges ahead of ASEAN Cup 2026

Coach Kim Sang Sik returns to South Korea after father's death, Vietnam team faces challenges ahead of ASEAN Cup 2026 Vietnam national team head coach Kim Sang Sik has left Vietnam to return to South Korea following the death of his father. The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) confirmed the news on August 13, 2026. According to the announcement, Coach Kim's father, 84 years old, passed away after a period of illness. Kim is expected to stay in South Korea for about a week to handle funeral arrangements before returning to Vietnam to resume work. This is a great loss for Kim personally, as he has devoted much effort to Vietnamese football since his appointment in May 2026. Over the past two years, he has led both the U23 and senior national teams, achieving encouraging results in regional and continental competitions. His temporary absence comes at a sensitive time as Vietnam is entering the final preparation phase for the ASEAN Cup 2026, which kicks off on September 24. The VFF quickly sent deep condolences to Coach Kim and his family. The VFF president personally encouraged him to return home to fulfill his family duties. In an official statement, the VFF expressed: "We hope Coach Kim Sang Sik and his family can soon overcome this immense loss." This move demonstrates the VFF's care and respect for its coaching staff, while reflecting the good cooperative relationship between the two parties. During Kim's absence, the Vietnam team's training will be handled by assistant coaches. As usual, the coaching staff will maintain daily training sessions, but the absence of the Korean strategist for about a week could somewhat affect tactical preparation. Video analysis sessions, set-piece drills, and building the playing style are often directly supervised by the head coach. If these activities are interrupted, the team may lose the necessary continuity before entering the official tournament. Based on my experience following Vietnam's matches under Coach Kim, I observe that he has a clear tactical philosophy, prioritizing ball control and high pressing. His tactical sessions are often lengthy and demand high concentration from players. His absence in the final stretch could slow the team down by a beat in perfecting tactical plans, especially set pieces—a factor that has brought important goals for Vietnam in previous tournaments. However, it must be recognized that this is a force majeure situation and the VFF has made preparations. It is likely the team will maintain training intensity thanks to the management of the assistant coaching staff, who have worked with Kim for a long time. Moreover, Vietnamese players are highly regarded for their solidarity and adaptability. In the past, the team has experienced periods without a head coach but still fought resiliently. The ASEAN Cup 2026 (also known as the AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup) is an important tournament in Southeast Asia. Vietnam is in Group A with Thailand, the Philippines, and Pakistan. This is considered a highly competitive group as Thailand—the traditional rival—is rated as a top contender for the title. Advancing from the group stage is the minimum goal, but to go deep, Vietnam needs the best preparation in all aspects. Kim's return is expected around August 20, which is just over a month before the tournament begins. This period is enough for him and his players to finalize last details. However, psychological factors also need attention. Experiencing the loss of a family member can affect the spirit and focus of the 54-year-old coach in his first days back. The coaching staff and players will need to share and encourage him so that Kim can quickly regain balance. For the VFF, facilitating Kim's return home to handle funeral arrangements is a beautiful gesture, demonstrating professionalism and humanity. This not only helps him feel secure in resolving family matters but also strengthens his trust in the organization. In the context of Vietnamese football aiming for long-term goals, maintaining good relationships with foreign experts is very important. National team players are said to have expressed sympathy and encouragement to Coach Kim. According to internal sources, many players have sent condolence messages to him. The spirit of "playing for the coach" can be a motivation for the whole team to strive harder at the ASEAN Cup 2026, as a spiritual gift to their teacher. This has been proven in the past, when teams often performed brilliantly after their coach went through a personal tragedy. Broadly speaking, Kim's absence is not a disaster for Vietnam. This is a tournament where Vietnam has the strength to compete, and the current coaching staff has built a stable tactical foundation over more than two years. The issue lies in maintaining focus and playing identity in key matches. If the assistants do a good job this week, Kim can return and continue his work without too much disruption. Another factor to note is the ASEAN Cup 2026 schedule. Vietnam will open against Pakistan on September 24, followed by matches against the Philippines and Thailand. This is a favorable order for the team to warm up and aim for the decisive match against Thailand. Kim will have about three weeks of direct preparation with the team after his return, enough to convey important tactical ideas. In football, stories of resilience and overcoming hardship always resonate. Coach Kim, with his professionalism and dedication, has won the affection of Vietnamese fans. His return to South Korea this time is natural, and the VFF's handling will further enhance the image of Vietnamese football in the eyes of international friends. Fans are waiting for the day he returns, stronger, to continue writing new chapters with the team. This year's tournament also features other strong teams, but Vietnam is considered one of the heavy favorites for the championship. The VFF is reportedly building a long-term plan with Coach Kim, including the goal of qualifying for the 2030 World Cup. Therefore, stabilizing the personnel and spirit of the coaching staff is a top priority right now. In summary, Coach Kim's return to South Korea for funeral arrangements is a personal event but has a certain impact on Vietnam's preparation for the ASEAN Cup 2026. With support from the VFF, the team's solidarity, and the coaching staff's capability, the team is expected to overcome this difficult period. The road ahead is full of challenges, but Vietnamese football has shown its mettle in tough times. Fans have the right to hope for a successful ASEAN Cup, where spirit and will shine.