Coach Kim Sang-sik "defeated" the fear of Thailand, did one thing and won the championship 3-2?

The 3-2 victory (5-3 aggregate) over Thailand in the 2024 AFF Cup final not only brought the championship to Vietnam but also marked an important psychological turning point. For the first time in many years, the obsession with "Thailand" was erased.

In the past, whenever facing Thailand, Vietnamese players often had a timid and unconfident mentality. Although they always affirmed that they were not afraid, past failures were deeply ingrained in their subconscious. Even in the friendly match in September 2024, under the leadership of coach Kim Sang-sik, the Vietnamese team still had to accept defeat at home at My Dinh Stadium.

Understanding this, Coach Kim Sang-sik has applied a special approach. He not only focuses on technical factors but also pays special attention to strengthening the spirit of his students. The Korean strategist has had frank and open conversations with the players, listening to their worries and sharing. He wants the players to understand that fear only exists in their own minds, and only confidence can help them win.

Ahead of the second leg of the final in Thailand, coach Kim Sang-sik gave decisive "orders". He wanted his players to see this match as an honorable battle, where they had to fight with all their might to affirm the position of Vietnamese football. He encouraged them to enjoy the passionate atmosphere at Rajamangala Stadium, considering the 50,000 Thai fans as those cheering for them.

"In meetings, I always remind them that there are nearly 50,000 fans in Thailand, so consider them as spectators cheering for us. Those sounds and shouts are to support us. Before going on the field, I always remind the players of three things. One is to win, two is to win, and three is to win," coach Kim Sang-sik shared. These strong words of encouragement have given the players great mental strength.

Not just stopping at words, Coach Kim Sang-sik also built a reasonable playing strategy, maximizing the strengths of each player. He especially believed in the ability of striker Nguyen Xuan Son, who shone brightly in both final matches. Xuan Son's fierce and strong playing style caused a lot of trouble for the Thai defense.

The first leg of the final at Viet Tri Stadium witnessed an impressive performance from the Vietnamese team. Xuan Son scored twice, helping the home team win 2-1. However, coach Kim Sang-sik remained cautious and reminded his players not to be subjective. He understood that the return leg away from home would be a real challenge.

"The Vietnamese team won the first leg at home, but I predict that the second leg in Thailand will be very difficult. However, I believe in the players, if they can get rid of the fear of that match and play confidently, they will achieve good results. And I also understand that with the Vietnamese team, as long as they are well prepared physically, I can confirm that the team can achieve good results in that match," coach Kim Sang-sik affirmed.

And reality has proven that confidence and brave fighting spirit helped the Vietnamese team overcome all difficulties at Rajamangala Stadium. Despite being behind, the Vietnamese players were not discouraged, fought hard and won the final score of 3-2, officially crowned the champion of AFF Cup 2024.

This victory is not only a title, but also a historical milestone, marking the remarkable growth of Vietnamese football. It proves that, with the right strategy and a strong spirit, we can completely overcome any opponent, even strong opponents like Thailand. Coach Kim Sang-sik has done what not everyone can do: erase fear and bring back the belief of victory to Vietnamese football.

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