“This is the last match of 2025 for the Vietnam national team and we won, so I’m very happy,” said Kim. “I would like to express my sincerest thanks to the players, especially the supporters who traveled to Laos to cheer for us.

“We had a difficult start and couldn’t keep possession of the ball — this needs to be improved. But anyway, the three points are the most important thing. Sometimes we don’t play well but still manage to earn three points.”

Kim admitted that much of the early struggle was down to the new tactics he was trying out, with the Korean tactician quick to alter at the start of the second half with the introduction of both Nguyen and Pham.

“I wanted to try out a new tactical system - specifically a four-defender formation to boost the attacking ability. But it is clear that the team still needs more time to adapt. In the first half, we had difficulty passing the ball and lost control of the game.

“We analysed the Laos national team very thoroughly and prepared well. However, training and actual competition are very different. But my players were very patient and kept pushing forward.”

The win took Vietnam to 12 points, three behind group leaders Malaysia with the two to meet on March 31 to decide who advances to the continental showpiece.