Coach Kim Sang Sik responds to Indonesian player who belittles Vietnam's victory

Coach Kim Sang Sik stated that the Vietnam national team consistently honors all competitions and concentrates on sustainable growth targets, following Indonesian defender Justin Hubner's contentious comments that attempted to diminish the triumph of the "Golden Star Warriors" and the significance of the ASEAN Cup 2026.

Following Vietnam's victory over Indonesia in the group stage of the ASEAN Cup 2026, social media was flooded with comments from the Indonesian players. Among them, Justin Hubner — a Dutch-born center-back who previously played for Wolverhampton's youth team — attracted the most attention with a series of remarks widely considered disrespectful toward the opponent.

Hubner repeatedly expressed discontent with Indonesia's loss to Vietnam. The player sarcastically stated that the "Golden Star Warriors" had forgotten their two defeats to Indonesia during the second round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers.

Not stopping there, the Indonesian defender also downplayed the value of the ASEAN Cup, claiming it is not an official tournament under FIFA’s system, thereby implying that winning or achieving success in this competition carries little meaning.

Hubner's statements quickly sparked widespread debate among media and football fans across Southeast Asia.

Ahead of the match between Vietnam and Cambodia in the final group stage of the ASEAN Cup 2026, Coach Kim Sang Sik was asked about his views on the Indonesian defender's remarks.

The South Korean tactician chose not to respond harshly, instead delivering a calm message emphasizing Vietnam's respect for all tournaments. "The media, fans, or anyone can express such opinions. Vietnam always values every competition and strives to achieve the best results. We prepare step by step to help Vietnamese players develop further and look toward the future," Kim shared.

Not only Coach Kim Sang Sik, but midfielder Nguyen Hai Long also spoke out when asked about Justin Hubner's comments. The Vietnam national team player stated that everyone has the right to their own opinion, but for him, wearing the national team jersey always holds special meaning. "Everyone has the right to express their own views. For me, every match in the national team jersey is very important. When I step onto the pitch, I always try to give my best and dedicate myself fully to the team," Hai Long affirmed.

During the press conference, Coach Kim Sang Sik also shared the Vietnam national team's objective for the final group stage match. After a goalless draw against Singapore at home, he wants his players to improve their ability to capitalize on opportunities in order to secure top spot in the group before entering the semifinals.

"First, the goal is to win and secure the top position in the group heading into the semifinals. The match against Singapore at home ended without a goal, which was very disappointing for us. Therefore, in tomorrow's match, the entire team will give their utmost effort to achieve the best result. I hope the fans will come out in large numbers to support the Vietnam team. We will repay them with a victory," the South Korean coach emphasized.

According to the ASEAN Cup 2026 schedule, the Vietnam national team will host Cambodia at My Dinh Stadium at 8:00 PM on August 7. A victory will not only help Coach Kim Sang Sik's side secure the top spot in the group but also build positive momentum before entering the semifinals.