"Vietnamese hero" coach Kim Sang-sik delivered another moving moment. His act of pushing his injured student's wheelchair himself at the arrival scene drew attention.
"VietnamNet" reported on Jan. 25 (KST), "The touching moment when coach Kim Sang-sik pushed Nguyen Hieu Minh's wheelchair. On the day the Vietnam under-23 (U-23) team returned home, his figure at Hanoi Noi Bai Airport deeply moved fans," it reported.
The outlet said, "The Vietnam U-23 team returned home after an unforgettable journey, winning on penalties against the Korea U-23 team in the final of the 2026 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-23 Championship. At Noi Bai Airport, amid warm welcomes from fans, there was a special scene that captured many hearts."
It was the sight of coach Kim Sang-sik caring for Hieu Minh, who had suffered a serious injury in the semifinal against China. VietnamNet emphasized, "Coach Kim Sang-sik personally pushed the wheelchair of his disabled center back Hieu Minh. This simple act showed deep affection and responsibility for his player without flashy speeches or grand explanations. His quiet presence beside Hieu Minh remained the most beautiful scene."
The U-23 team led by coach Kim Sang-sik drew 2-2 with Korea in the third-place match held on Jan. 24 at King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, then won 7-6 on penalties to finish third.
Vietnam caused an upset in this tournament. Among Southeast Asian countries, they became the first to win all three group matches and advance to the round of 16 as group winners, and after defeating the United Arab Emirates (UAE) they reached the semifinal. They then suffered a 0-3 defeat to China, missing the final, but finished on a high by toppling Korea.
When they beat Korea, Vietnam erupted in celebration. On the day coach Kim Sang-sik and the team returned home, hundreds of fans visited the airport to welcome them. Lines formed requesting autographs and commemorative photos. It was, literally, a national welcome.
Meanwhile, the human side shown by coach Kim Sang-sik is also receiving attention. Vietnam's Lam Dong noted, "The sight of coach Kim Sang-sik pushing Hieu Minh's wheelchair symbolizes the strong bond between teacher and student after the miraculous victory at the U-23 Asian Cup."
The outlet said, "The Vietnam U-23 team returned home in glory with the dramatic bronze medal. But even within that glorious moment, a quiet yet deeply resonant scene captured everyone's attention," adding, "Rather than taking the spotlight with the players, strategist Kim Sang-sik quietly stepped away from the crowd and personally pushed Hieu Minh's wheelchair."
Hieu Minh suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. Given the severity of the injury, his distress must have been great. Knowing this, coach Kim Sang-sik personally cared for him, and Hieu Minh's parents were reported to have wept as they saw their son return seated in a wheelchair.
Lam Dong applauded, saying, "The sight of coach Kim Sang-sik encouraging the players himself instead of leaving them to staff shows respect and special affection for the 'warriors' who devote themselves to their country," adding, "The coach's careful care for the young player amid the press and fans not only provided a beautiful emotional moment but also served as evidence of the Vietnam U-23 team's strong solidarity."
Other Vietnamese outlets also interpreted coach Kim Sang-sik's actions as one facet of "leadership." They described how his actions, rather than words or gestures, illustrated the relationship between coach and players and the team atmosphere. Most descriptions portrayed him as a quiet coach who stands by his players and takes responsibility first.
Meanwhile, at the Vietnam arrival scene, coach Kim Sang-sik credited the team's third-place finish to the "one-team spirit." He said, "Our players do not give up. They always fight their best and make it hard for opponents until the end," adding, "Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Korea are all teams stronger and faster than us. Since our overall strength is weaker, we united as a team rather than confronting them individually. That is the secret to our success," he said, giving credit to his players.
[Photo] VFF, Asian Cup social media.
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