Culture - Sports

Vietnam’s Kim Sang-sik to lead ASEAN All-stars in match against Manchester United FC

This is more than just a football match, it is a celebration of leadership, regional pride, and unity through sport, according to the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF).

Coach Kim Sang-sik, head coach of Vietnam’s national football team. (Photo: VFF)
Coach Kim Sang-sik, head coach of Vietnam’s national football team. (Photo: VFF)

Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) announced on April 10 that Coach Kim Sang-sik, head coach of Vietnam’s national football team, will take the helm of the ASEAN All-Stars Team in the upcoming Maybank Challenge Cup – a historic international friendly against Manchester United Football Club.

The match is scheduled for May 28 at Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Malaysia.

This is more than just a football match, it is a celebration of leadership, regional pride, and unity through sport, according to the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF).

Coach Kim’s leadership is built on integrity, discipline, and vision. After guiding Vietnam to an undefeated campaign and championship title at the 2024 ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup, his appointment to lead the ASEAN All-Stars Team is clear evidence of his excellence and the deep trust he has earned across the football community.

Kim said that it’s an honour to lead the best players from across ASEAN in a match of this magnitude.

“We are not just representing our nations, we are showing the world the pride, spirit, and strength of our region,” he said.

The friendly between the ASEAN All-Stars Team and Manchester United Football Club is expected to draw tens of thousands of fans, bring together diverse cultures, and highlight the growing passion and progress of football in the ASEAN region.

This match carries a deeper purpose, it will also serve as a fundraising initiative in support of the Al-Sultan Abdullah Foundation (YASA), a respected charitable organisation in Malaysia, underscoring AFF’s commitment to making a positive impact beyond the pitch.

AFF President Major General Khiev Sameth said that Kim is a symbol of progress and professionalism. His leadership will inspire not just players, but an entire generation of footballers and fans.

The ASEAN All-Stars Team will feature top players selected from all 12 AFF Member Associations, reflecting the diversity and collective strength of Southeast Asian football.

With the support of ProEvents, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), and title sponsor Maybank, the Maybank Challenge Cup promises to be one of the most meaningful and unforgettable sporting events of the year./.

VNA
#Kim Sang-sik #Manchester United FC #ASEAN All-stars #national football team Vietnam
Follow VietnamPlus

Related News

Lee Jung-soo is a former defender for the RoK's national team. — Photo Suwon FC

National football team to welcome new Korean assistant coach

The proposed new assistant is Lee Jung-soo, a former defender for the Korean national team, who played from 2008 to 2013. Lee gained recognition during the 2010 World Cup, scoring two crucial goals that helped the RoK advance to the round of 16.

Vietnamese football players and fans celebrate their ASEAN Cup 2024 victory. (Photo: VNA)

PM commends men's national football team for ASEAN Cup 2024 victory

Right following Vietnam’s victory in the 2024 ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup after beating Thailand in the final match on January 5 evening, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh congratulated the men's national football team and sent his best wishes to injured striker Nguyen Xuan Son.

See more

The grand Xoe dance performance with the participation of 2,026 people. (Photo: VNA)

Muong Lo Festival 2026 opens with grand Xoe dance performance

Chairman of the Lao Cai provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Tuan Anh said the province regards culture as the spiritual foundation, an endogenous resource and a driving force for sustainable development, with people at the centre of cultural creation, preservation and enjoyment.

Local residents enjoy bathing in flooded fields during the flood season in the Cong Bung Ren area, Vinh Loi hamlet, Phu Huu commune, An Giang province (Photo: VNA)

An Giang’s flood season bathing offers unique tourism experience

Although the flood season lasts only a few months, bathing in flooded fields offers more than seasonal recreation. For residents of An Giang’s border headwaters, it is a way to strengthen community bonds, preserve childhood memories and share the distinctive riverine culture of the Mekong Delta with visitors.

Delegates at the award ceremony (Photo: VNA)

VNA, Hanoi press agency named outstanding at capital press awards

A group of authors from the Hanoi Press and Radio - Television Agency won the special prize, while A prizes went to Tien Phong newspaper, Quoc Phong Thu Do (Capital Defence) newspaper and the Hanoi Press and Radio-Television Agency. VNA reporters took one B prize and three C prizes.

Vietnam’s Trade Counsellor in Algeria and Tunisia Hoang Duc Nhuan (L) introduces some Vietnamese products on the sidelines of an African trade and investment forum. (Photo: VNA)

Tunisia values Vietnam’s competitive products: Trade Counsellor

According to Vietnam Customs, bilateral trade reached 59.43 million USD in the first nine months of 2026, up 9.7% year-on-year. Vietnam’s exports totalled 45.47 million USD, an increase of 10.2%, while imports from Tunisia stood at 13.96 million USD, up 8.3%.

“Steel Land” tells a moving story of sacrifice and courage among soldiers and residents of Cu Chi during Vietnam's struggles for independence and reunification. (Photo: VNA)

Play brings Vietnamese history, culture to international audiences

Set against the life of Heoric Vietnamese Mother Nguyen Thi Ranh, who lost eight children and two grandchildren during the resistance wars against the French colonialism and US imperialism, “Steel Land” tells a moving story of sacrifice and courage among soldiers and residents of Cu Chi during the country’s struggles for independence and reunification.

A performance of Xuan Pha dance in Thanh Hoa province. The traditional dance was recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2016. (Photo: VNA)

Deputy PM orders nationwide push for first Vietnamese Culture Day

November 24, 2026 marks the first Vietnamese Culture Day, meant to put the Politburo’s Resolution 80-NQ/TW on cultural development into practice. The aim is to embed culture more deeply in social life, letting every citizen create and enjoy it while helping preserve, pass on and enrich the values of Vietnamese culture, country and people.

The Po Klong Garai tower complex on Trau Hill in Do Vinh ward, Khanh Hoa province, is one of the finest examples of Cham architecture preserved to this day. (Photo: VNA)

Po Klong Garai: Cham towers preserving centuries of history

The complex comprises three main structures: the Chinh (Main) Tower, Cong (Gate)Tower and Lua (Fire) Tower. The Main Tower stands about 20.5 metres tall, featuring a square base and tiered roofs that narrow towards the top. The Fire Tower, with its distinctive boat-shaped curved roof, adds a contrasting feature to the ensemble. Columns, niches, lotus motifs and decorative patterns adorn the brick walls.

Nguyen Trong Ho (right), head of Vietnam’s delegation to the Asian Para Games 2026, offers encouragement to athletes. (Photo: Vietnam Para Sports Delegation)

Vietnam targets gold at Asian Para Games 2026

Vietnam will send 36 team members, including 21 athletes competing in five sports: athletics (seven), swimming (seven), powerlifting (four), table tennis (two) and badminton (one).

A dance performance celebrates the traditional craftsmanship of the Cham people in Ninh Phuoc commune, Khanh Hoa province. (Photo: VNA)

Preserving Bau Truc pottery heritage in modern life

Bau Truc pottery is distinguished by its traditional handmade techniques. Without pottery wheels or moulds, Cham women use their hands to shape clay, water and fire into unique products that embody the community's folk knowledge, customs, memories and cultural identity.

A drum performance opens the launch of a nationwide campaign calling for all people to practice physical training in Hanoi on October 10, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Preserving heritage and harnessing cultural strength in a new era

On the morning of October 10, a ceremony was held at Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square in Hanoi to launch a nationwide campaign encouraging regular physical exercise under the message “Everyone should choose at least one suitable sport to practise regularly”. The event was held in person and connected online with 33 provinces and cities nationwide.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam speaks at the ceremony marking the Hanoi Police Football Club's 70th anniversary on October 10, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Top leader applauds Hanoi Police FC’s 70-year achievements

General Secretary and President To Lam expressed delight at the encouraging signals recorded so far, noting that with its valuable traditions, the enthusiasm of today's youth, and the attention from leaders of the Party, State, Ministry of Public Security, Hanoi Police, and local authorities, the team has every opportunity to thrive.