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Kim wore a black polo shirt during Vietnam’s 7-0 win over Timor-Leste in their opening match on July 24, but switched to white for the team’s disappointing 0-0 home draw with Singapore a week later.

Speaking before the Indonesia match, the 50-year-old said he was aware of fans joking that white shirts brought bad luck. After returning to his trademark black polo on Monday, he watched Vietnam secure an emphatic victory.

“Maybe I’ll throw away all the white shirts in my closet and tell my wife not to buy any more,” Kim said with a smile after the match.

The South Korean coach has worn the same black polo throughout Vietnam’s title-winning campaigns at the 2024 ASEAN Cup, the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship, and the 33rd SEA Games. The run ended at the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup, where Vietnam lost 3-0 to China in the semifinals before drawing 2-2 with South Korea and winning the third-place playoff on penalties.

Vietnam entered the Indonesia match under pressure after the scoreless draw with Singapore left their qualification hopes in doubt. At Pakansari Stadium, however, Kim’s tactical adjustments and changes to the starting lineup paid off.

Vietnam raced to a two-goal lead within the opening 15 minutes, with Nguyen Van Vi scoring in the sixth minute before Nguyen Hai Long doubled the advantage in the 15th following well-worked team moves. The early goals allowed Vietnam to control both possession and the tempo, while Indonesia struggled to threaten.

Midway through the second half, Kim introduced Nguyen Xuan Son and Do Hoang Hen as Indonesia pushed higher up the pitch in search of a goal. The move proved decisive, as Hoang Duc’s through ball sent Xuan Son clear to score Vietnam’s third.

“It was a difficult away match, but the players gave everything and executed our game plan very well,” Kim said. “This victory puts us in a favorable position ahead of our final group match against Cambodia, but we still have more objectives to achieve.”