Beyond the trophy: Kim Sang Sik's FIFA ASEAN Cup mission

On an October night in 2026, at a stadium in Indonesia, when the final whistle blew, Vietnamese fans might have been accustomed to the feeling of victory. But for coach Kim Sang Sik, winning the 2026 ASEAN Cup is not the final destination, but merely a milestone on a longer journey. He understands that after two years of regional dominance, his team faces a harder puzzle: how to transcend their own limits. The context of this tournament is particularly significant. The FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, running from September 24 to October 5 in Indonesia, is the first edition under FIFA's auspices. This is not just a renamed regional competition but an official stage within the international match system. As reigning champions, Vietnam enter with the status of favorites, but also under pressure to defend the title. Kim Sang Sik, the South Korean coach, will certainly devote meticulous preparation to this tournament, not only for the trophy but also for a longer-term goal. More important than the trophy is how Kim Sang Sik uses this tournament as a test. After winning the ASEAN Cup, Vietnam have relatively little left to prove at the regional level. But precisely because of that, the team's weaknesses and strengths have not always been easy to identify over the past two years, when Vietnam entered many matches as favorites. Kim Sang Sik needs to reassess his team's strength, from the quality and depth of the squad to how effectively his system operates. He wants to experiment and carefully assess different options, giving Vietnam more solutions when they face stronger opposition at the 2027 Asian Cup and World Cup qualifiers. A contrarian angle here is that using the tournament for experimentation may conflict with the goal of reaching the final. Fans and media may expect a place in the final, but if Kim Sang Sik prioritizes experimentation, early-round results may not meet expectations. However, this tension reflects a reality: Vietnamese football has reached a new level, where long-term development matters more than a transient trophy. The tournament in Indonesia, with the host's home advantage, will be a true test of the team's resilience and adaptability. The question is not just whether Vietnam will win, but whether the team will find new solutions for the future. When the opening whistle blows, all will witness a Vietnamese team in transition, not only to defend the crown but also to assert their position on the continental stage.