Manager Kim Sang-sik shares a heartwarming moment as he is carried onto the award stage by his 28-year-old disciple, drawing "roaring cheers" from Vietnamese fans.

*This content was translated by AI.

Kim Sang-sik, head coach of the Vietnam national football team, created a heartwarming scene immediately after winning the championship.

Vietnam's VietnamNet reported on the 27th (Korean time) that "Coach Kim Sang-sik carried his student Nguyen Dinh-bak on his back as he went to receive the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, delighting fans."

Vietnam, led by coach Kim Sang-sik, drew 2-2 with Thailand in the second leg of the 2026 ASEAN Cup final at a home match held on the 26th at My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi, Vietnam.

On the 22nd, Vietnam, which had secured a decisive 2-0 victory in the first leg of the final held during their Thailand expedition, defeated their "rival" Thailand with an aggregate score of 4-2 across the two legs and lifted the championship trophy.

The path to the championship was not easy. Vietnam wavered in the second leg of the final after conceding leads twice to Thailand. However, through intense pressure, they forced two own goals from their opponents to equalize. Vietnam, who had secured a two-goal advantage in the first leg, held on until the end and reclaimed the top spot as the defending champion.

Manager Kim led Vietnam to the championship in his first tournament as head coach in 2024 and secured another title this time around, guiding the team to back-to-back ASEAN Cup victories. This marks the first time Vietnam has won the tournament two years in a row. With wins in 2008, 2018, 2024, and now this year, it is their fourth overall championship.

Vietnam also set another record, continuing its unbeaten streak in 26 consecutive A-match games (22 wins and 4 draws) after drawing with Thailand.

This is already the fourth trophy Coach Kim has won with Vietnamese football in the past two years. Leading both Vietnam's senior national team and its U-23 squad, Coach Kim secured victories starting with the 2024 ASEAN Cup, followed by the AFF U-23 Championship in July last year, and the men's football tournament at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in December of the same year.

With this victory at the 2026 ASEAN Cup, he has led national teams at all levels to the summit four times in just two years.

Another protagonist of Vietnamese football was born at this tournament: the young striker Dinh Bac, born in 2004.

Dinh Park led Vietnam to the championship with five goals and three assists in seven matches at this tournament. Demonstrating not only scoring ability but also the capacity to create opportunities for teammates, he has emerged as both the present and future of Vietnamese football.

Recognized for such outstanding performance, Dean Park was selected as the tournament's MVP, surpassing numerous strong candidates.

Then, a special scene unfolded at the awards ceremony. Coach Kim carried Dean Park on his back all the way to the stage as he went to receive the MVP award. The unexpected action by Coach Kim drew a warm response from the.

VietnamNet reported that the scene of Director Kim Sang-sik carrying Dean Park on his back toward the award area during the ceremony held after the final match evoked many emotions.

He added, "The friendly gesture of the Korean leader was a special recognition for the young striker who made an explosive performance in this tournament."

Coach Kim, born in 1976, is a full 28 years younger than his counterpart. Despite an age gap close to that of a father and son, Coach Kim showed exceptional affection by carrying his student on his back himself. Watching this scene, Lee Woon-jae, the Vietnam national team coach and a "Korean football legend," smiled with satisfaction.

The relationship between the two did not begin at this tournament. Coach Kim has actively utilized young players, having led not only Vietnam's A national team but also the Yeon Ryeong-byeol (CEO) team. Din Park has consistently served as a key resource under Coach Kim's system, shuttling between the A national team and the Yeon Ryeong-byeol (CEO) team.

In particular, last year he experienced winning the U-23 Southeast Asian Championship and the SEA Games together with Coach Kim, and this time he climbed to the top of the ASEAN Cup with the Seong In (CEO) team. Dean Park also secured the tournament MVP, properly repaying Coach Kim's trust.

The competition for the MVP was also fierce. Vietnam's Nguyen Xuan Son also scored five goals in this tournament, sharing the top scorer title with Dinh Bac. In particular, he netted multiple goals in the second leg of the semi-final against Malaysia, earning him recognition as a strong MVP candidate.

However, in the overall performance of the tournament, Din Park received higher praise. VietnamNet evaluated that Din Park played a crucial role not only in scoring and assists but also in Vietnam's offensive buildup and link-up play.

In particular, his sensory play in the first leg of the final against Thailand left a strong impression. Dinbak assisted Hailong's opening goal with a exquisite heel pass, bolstering Vietnam's attack.

VietnamNet praised, saying, "With this goal as a springboard, Vietnam secured a decisive 2-0 away victory," and added, "Ultimately, they maintained their lead through the second leg of the final to lift the championship trophy."

The media also emphasized that "Dinh Park's MVP award is a natural reward for his outstanding performance in this tournament," adding that it "also demonstrates that young Vietnamese football talent has entered a crucial stage of growth."

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*This content was translated by AI.