Head coach Kim Sang-sik has expressed his confidence in the Vietnamese national football team's ability to secure a victory against Singapore in the third round of Group A of the ASEAN Cup 2026. The match is set to take place at My Dinh Stadium on July 31, 2026. Currently, Singapore leads Group A with 6 points, having won against Cambodia 2-1 and Timor Leste 2-0. Vietnam, with 3 points, has played one less match due to a bye in the second round, following a resounding 7-0 victory over Timor Leste in their opening game.

During a press conference held on July 30, 2026, Kim Sang-sik acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating, "This will be a difficult and intense match. However, we have prepared well both physically and mentally, so we are confident in achieving a win." The coach emphasized the importance of turning pressure into confidence, allowing the players to perform at their best on the field.

Reporters from Singapore raised concerns about the pressure on Vietnam to defend their championship title and maintain their status while delivering an attractive style of play. Kim admitted that there is pressure, but he is more focused on the players' development through training and matches. "Every match is tough and challenging, and we must strive from the very first game, treating it as a final," he remarked.

Historically, Vietnam has faced Singapore 22 times, winning 9, drawing 9, and losing 4. Their last defeat was in the final of the Tiger Cup, the predecessor of the ASEAN Cup, in 1998. In their last five encounters, Vietnam has won 3 and drawn 2, including a 2-0 victory in the semifinals of the 2024 ASEAN Cup.

Kim Sang-sik believes that maintaining their good record against Singapore is crucial, and to achieve this, the team must focus on the present rather than dwell on the past. He acknowledged Singapore's improvement, particularly praising players like Song Ui-yong, Kyoga Nakamura, Shawal Anuar, and Ilhan Fandi. "Vietnam needs to defend solidly against these high-performing players," he added.

Additionally, the coach is considering squad rotation, as Vietnam has an upcoming match against Indonesia on August 3. However, he emphasized the need for the players to give their all to defeat Singapore first, taking advantage of a week of rest compared to their opponents. "After that, we will think about Indonesia, finding ways to recover quickly and secure a win," Kim concluded.