Coach Kim Sang-sik made just one statement, and Asian media outlets went into a frenzy reporting on it.

Turning the impossible into the possible right in the opponent's stronghold, coach Kim Sang-sik only needed to utter a single sentence to cause a stir in the international media, earning him unanimous admiration.

On the evening of December 18th, the SEA Games 33 men's football final in Bangkok ended with an unbelievable scenario. Coming from behind to beat Thailand 3-2 on their home ground, coach Kim Sang-sik officially made history as the most successful strategist in Vietnamese football in a calendar year.

An "unbelievable" comeback in the scorching heat of Bangkok.

The Rajamangala Stadium erupted when the final whistle blew. The 3-2 victory for Vietnam U22 was not just a professional result, but a powerful message about resilience and character.

The match began like a nightmare for coach Kim Sang-sik and his team. In the 20th minute, Yotsakorn Burapha delivered a stunning free-kick to open the scoring. Just 11 minutes later, defensive lapses led to Vietnam conceding a second goal after a counter-attack by Seksan Ratree. Trailing 0-2 in Bangkok, many were anticipating a bitter defeat for the "Golden Star Warriors".

However, the second half was Kim Sang-sik's personal stage. His sharp tactical adjustments completely changed the course of the game. In the 49th minute, Nguyen Dinh Bac rekindled hope with a penalty goal after he himself was fouled in the penalty area. The suffocating pressure caused the Thai defense to falter, leading to an own goal in the 60th minute from a corner kick. The match was forced into extra time after the 2-2 score remained unchanged after 90 minutes.

The decisive moment and a breathtaking championship victory.

Entering extra time, the U22 Vietnam team's resilience was at its peak. In the 96th minute, from an attacking move down the right wing, Nguyen Thanh Nhan was in the right place at the right time to score a rebound after the first shot was blocked, securing a 3-2 victory. In the remaining minutes, the Vietnamese defense held firm against the relentless attacks of the "War Elephants" to successfully defend their prestigious gold medal.

When the final whistle blew, coach Kim Sang-sik couldn't hide his emotions. He and his players ran around the Rajamangala Stadium celebrating, much to the astonishment of tens of thousands of Thai fans and the boundless pride of Vietnamese supporters.

Coach Kim Sang-sik: The new record holder of Vietnamese football.

This victory not only brought home the SEA Games gold medal but also helped coach Kim Sang-sik set an unprecedented milestone. Korean media, notably Newsis, showered the compatriot strategist with effusive praise.

In 2025, Mr. Kim completed a spectacular treble: AFF Cup champion (January); Southeast Asian U23 champion (July); and SEA Games 33 gold medalist (December).

This is an achievement that even coach Park Hang-seo – who laid the foundation for the golden age of Vietnamese football – has never accomplished in the same calendar year. Newsis commented that coach Kim Sang-sik has officially surpassed the shadow of his predecessor to write a brilliant new chapter of his own.

With his ability to turn the tide and his tactical acumen, Coach Kim Sang-sik has not only conquered titles but also completely won the hearts of the fans. Vietnamese football is currently experiencing its happiest days, and "the wizard" Kim Sang-sik is the chief architect of these resounding successes.

Vietnam U22 team receives a "bonus of 2.5 billion VND", VFF sends a message after winning gold at SEA Games 33. Thanh Yên10:14:38 19/12/2025The Vietnam U22 team staged a spectacular comeback, defeating Thailand U22 3-2 to win the gold medal at the 33rd SEA Games. Immediately after the victory, the team received a bonus of 1 billion VND from the VFF and is expected to return to Vietnam on December 19th.