Coach Kim Sang Sik's "magic" revealed in the 90th minute: one sentence awakened the U23 team?

According to a post by a fan in the stands during the quarter-final match against UAE, in the 90th minute, coach Kim Sang Sik uttered a shocking statement. This reveals the vision and strategy of this talented coach.

In the early hours of January 17th, the Vietnam U23 team achieved a memorable milestone at the 2026 AFC U23 Championship by defeating the UAE U23 team 3-2 in a dramatic quarter-final match, officially securing their place in the semi-finals. This victory is not only significant in terms of professional performance but also evokes special emotions for Vietnamese football fans, as it has been exactly eight years since the miraculous achievement in Changzhou in 2018 that the Vietnam U23 team has once again advanced so far in the continental tournament.

The match unfolded with a breathtaking scenario befitting a knockout. The UAE U23 team demonstrated superior physique, fitness, and international experience, constantly putting pressure on their opponents for most of the match. However, Coach Kim Sang Sik's players showed resilience, maintained their composure, and prevented their opponents from easily dominating the game. The two teams engaged in a tense back-and-forth battle, forcing the match into a decisive final climax with heightened emotions.

After the final whistle blew, the image of the Vietnamese U23 players hugging each other and crying tears of happiness brought tears to the eyes of millions of fans. In the stands, the players did not forget to turn towards the supporters to express their gratitude to those who had stood by them and cheered them on tirelessly, both in person at the stadium and through television screens back home.

Notably, a post allegedly from a fan who was present in the stands has been circulating widely on social media in the past few hours. According to this account, immediately after the 90 minutes of regulation time ended, coach Kim Sang Sik turned to his players and said briefly but confidently: "UAE is exhausted, now is the time for us to play real football." Although the authenticity of the story has not been verified, this detail quickly received praise from fans, as it somewhat accurately reflects what happened on the field.

In the past, Vietnamese teams were often considered the underdogs when facing West Asian teams, especially in terms of physical fitness and endurance. However, under coach Kim Sang Sik, the U23 Vietnam team has shown a completely different face. Not only did they not run out of steam in the final stages of the match, but they also played increasingly proactively and sharply as their opponents gradually showed signs of fatigue.

Compared to their opponents in the group stage, the UAE U23 team was well-prepared, played a flexible style, and had good tactical adjustments. In that context, the most commendable aspect of the Vietnam U23 team was the stability of their formation. The players did not panic or fall apart even when faced with difficult situations. The cohesion between the lines was maintained throughout, allowing the team to control the pace of the game well, especially in extra time.

Besides tactical prowess, mental fortitude is also a major strength of the Vietnam U23 team. Maintaining composure, confidence, and decisiveness in crucial moments demonstrates the significant maturity of the current generation of players. Their more flexible and diverse attacking capabilities compared to their UAE opponents helped Vietnam U23 capitalize on opportunities and ultimately decide the match.

Who is the Vietnamese U23 goalkeeper who was mentioned by VTV and praised profusely by the Saudi Arabian coaching staff? Sông Trăng15:44:23 13/01/2026Goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien is the brightest star after the match against U23 Saudi Arabia thanks to his spectacular saves for U23 Vietnam. Not only was he honored by VTV, the young goalkeeper also received a shower of praise from the international coaching staff.