Vientiane: Vietnam will hope to kick off the new era under head coach Kim Sang-sik in earnest as they travel to Vientiane to take on Laos in Group B in their ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup™ 2024 opener on Monday.
The Golden Star Warriors were managed by another Korean tactician in Park Hang-seo during the last three editions of the ASEAN Championship, winning their second title in 2018 before reaching the semi-finals in 2020 and the final last time out.
But Kim is Vietnam’s second manager since Park left after their narrow defeat to Thailand in the 2022 final, and the former Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors boss has only won once in his five matches in charge.
They come on the back of a disappointing 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers from which they exited in the second round and were held to a 1-1 draw by India in their most recent international friendly in October.
The Vietnamese have prepared for the tournament with a tour to Korea Republic where they have faced clubs including Jeonbuk and Daegu FC and have named a strong squad featuring 2018 MVP Nguyen Quang Hai, Nguyen Van Toan and Nguyen Tien Linh among others.
Laos, meanwhile, also head into the tournament with a new man in charge – Kim’s compatriot Ha Hyeok-jun, who signed on the dotted lines in August.
The Laotians played two friendly matches in October, losing 3-1 to Malaysia in Bangkok but then holding reigning Southeast Asian champions Thailand to a 1-1 draw in Pathum Thani, where their captain Bounphachan Bounkong scored the equaliser.
The 24-year-old is among an array of promising youngsters Laos have in their ranks with Kydavone Souvanny and Damoth Thongkhamsavath also among those looking to make a mark in the tournament while midfielder Phoutthasay Khochalern, who plies his trade in Thailand with Thap Luang United, is their most-capped player.
Ha, who previously coached Hong Kong Premier League side Resources Capital, will set his sights on taking Laos, who have participated in all but one edition of the ASEAN Championship, into the knockout stages for the very first time.
But Vietnam, who were denied a third ASEAN title in 2022 and will be eager to go one step further this time around, will be as formidable an opponent as any in the tournament opener for Thim Xad.
Laos vs Vietnam
Venue: National Stadium KM16, Vientiane
Kick-off: 9 December, 9 PM (Local Time)
Photo: Vietnam Football Federation
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