Coach Kim Sang Sik's lucky shirt

Xuan Manh gave a kiss to Coach Kim Sang Sik's lucky black shirt following Vietnam's 3-0 win against Indonesia. The Korean coach jokingly said he had gotten rid of all his white shirts.

The story of Coach Kim Sang Sik's lucky shirt became a topic of discussion in the media before and after the victory over Indonesia. Fans of the Vietnamese team are also quite intrigued by the black shirt that often brings good luck to the team.

Coach Kim Sang Sik's black shirt has now become a "brand" on the sidelines. Whenever the Korean coach appears in that familiar outfit, fans mention the "lucky shirt" as an omen of good fortune for the Vietnamese team.

Of course, no shirt brings victory. The real success comes from tactical imprint, thorough preparation, and the team's fighting spirit.

But in football, such small symbols always contribute to emotions, belief, and identity. The black shirt, therefore, is not just clothing but an image associated with Coach Kim Sang Sik's 21-match unbeaten streak with the Vietnamese team.

Against Indonesia, Coach Kim Sang Sik shaped a new look for the Vietnamese team, not through flashy changes but by building a synchronized tactical system.

The 3-0 scoreline against Indonesia on away ground is clear evidence of this, as Vietnam's strength came from organization rather than the brilliance of a few individuals like Van Vi, Hai Long, or Hoang Duc.

The most notable point in Vietnam's play is the ability to maintain a reasonable team shape across all three lines. When losing possession, the players immediately press from the midfield area, limiting the opponent's space to build play.

Instead of dropping deep and waiting for counterattacks as before, the Vietnamese team proactively regained control through collective pressure, forcing Indonesia to constantly make long passes or rushed decisions.

Another notable point is the flexibility in their operation. When needing to control the game, the two central midfielders, Thanh Long and Hoang Duc, deliberately drop deeper to support ball progression. Conversely, when transitioning to attack, the full-backs are ready to push forward, creating numerical advantages on the flanks. This constant variation helps Vietnam maintain pressure while ensuring defensive balance.

It can be seen that Coach Kim Sang Sik's philosophy does not aim to build a team dependent on stars. Instead, every player is a link in the overall system, with clear roles both in attack and defense. Thanks to this cohesion, the Vietnamese team plays with high intensity while maintaining discipline and stability throughout the match.

The victory over Indonesia, therefore, is not just about the scoreline. More importantly, the Vietnamese team shows signs of forming a clear tactical identity: tight organization, quick transitions, targeted pressing, and an emphasis on collectivism. If they continue to maintain this operational approach, the Vietnamese team under Coach Kim Sang Sik will have a solid foundation to aim for bigger goals in Southeast Asia and even reach the Asian level.

By then, the story of Coach Kim Sang Sik's black shirt will continue to be recalled after every success of the Vietnamese team.