[Anchor]
The Vietnamese national football team, led by head coach Kim Sang-sik, has achieved its first-ever back-to-back championships at the Hyundai Cup, often referred to as the World Cup of Southeast Asia. Expressing his joy, coach Kim remarked that he has become the "King of Kings, 'King' Sang-sik."
Reporter Ha Seong-nyong has the details.
[Reporter]
Carrying a 2-0 victory from the first leg, Vietnam hosted rival Thailand on home turf but struggled early, conceding the opening goal just 12 minutes into the first half.
However, fortune favored Vietnam.
Three minutes into the second half, Thailand missed a penalty kick that sailed over the crossbar while searching for an insurance goal. Just four minutes later, Vietnam's counterattack resulted in an equalizer off the goalpost and the opposing goalkeeper's foot.
In the 40th minute of the second half, a defensive lapse allowed Thailand to close the gap to 3-2 on aggregate, but decisive luck struck again in stoppage time.
During a Vietnamese counterattack, a Thai defender attempted to clear a cross only to score an own goal resembling a wonder goal.
Extending their unbeaten streak to 26 matches in dramatic fashion, Vietnam triumphed 4-2 on aggregate to claim the Hyundai Cup title for the second consecutive time.
The Vietnamese national flag and the Taegeukgi fluttered side by side at the stadium, and the players hoisted coach Kim Sang-sik—who led Vietnam to its first-ever consecutive tournament titles—into the air in celebration.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, serving as a presenter, gave a thumbs-up alongside coach Kim.
[Kim Sang-sik / Head Coach, Vietnamese National Football Team: President Lee Jae-myung visited Vietnam earlier this year and said that football is the 'king' sport in Vietnam and that coach Kim Sang-sik is the 'king.' I feel like I've truly become the 'king of kings' today. I'll enjoy being the 'king' for just today, and starting tomorrow, I will run again for Vietnamese football.]
Vietnamese press corps also surrounded coach Kim to celebrate the victory.
[Vietnam Champion! Vietnam Champion!]
Fans triggering a wave of red across all of Vietnam reveled in a night of celebration.
(Video Editing: Lee Jae-sung)
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