Coach Kim's lucky black shirt becomes Vietnam's 'victory charm'

Vietnam's national football team coach Kim Sang-sik is embracing a superstitious streak, vowing to continue wearing his lucky black shirt for all upcoming matches. The team secured a crucial 3-0 victory against Indonesia in the 2026 ASEAN Championship, reclaiming the top spot in Group A with a 2-1-1 record.

Local Vietnamese media and fans have taken notice of Coach Kim's attire, noting a correlation between his black shirts and the team's dominant performances. In contrast, a draw against Singapore while wearing a white shirt has amplified the belief in the black shirt as a 'victory charm.' Players have even been seen kissing the shirt after wins, further cementing its symbolic status.

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I knew there were talks among fans that the black shirt brings good luck.

Coach Kim himself acknowledged the superstition, stating, "I knew there were talks among fans that the black shirt brings good luck." He humorously added, "I plan to throw away all my white clothes at home and will tell my wife never to buy white clothes again." The Vietnamese publication VN Express highlighted that Kim has consistently worn black shirts during significant victories, including the 2024 ASEAN Cup and the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship, expressing hope he continues this tradition for the current tournament.

The Vietnamese team is set to play their final group stage match against Cambodia on August 7th, with Coach Kim expected to don his favored black shirt once more.

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I plan to throw away all my white clothes at home and will tell my wife never to buy white clothes again.