Bangkok, 7 December 2025 – After visiting and encouraging the U22 Laos player who suffered a broken leg, defender Nhat Minh affirmed U23 Vietnam’s strong spirit and confidence as the team prepares for the decisive group-stage match against U22 Malaysia at SEA Games 33.
On the afternoon of 7 December, U22 Vietnam continued their training session at RBAC University Stadium in Bangkok, with midfielder Xuan Bac fully recovered from injury and returning to the squad. The session took place in the presence of team leader Tran Anh Tu, as the players focused on improving their performance ahead of the crucial final group match.
Defender Nhat Minh shared that earlier in the day, the entire U22 Vietnam team visited and encouraged the U22 Laos player who suffered a broken leg during the match against Malaysia. “Before U22 Laos departed the hotel, we wanted to express our sympathy. Everyone offered words of support and wished him a fast recovery,” he said.
On 6 December, U22 Vietnam watched the match where U22 Malaysia convincingly defeated U22 Laos. According to Nhat Minh, Malaysia showed impressive strength and physicality. “Malaysia played very well. Coach Kim Sang-sik has not yet presented his full tactical analysis of Malaysia, but he will likely do so in the coming days. For now, we are focused on training and improving our performance,” he added.
Comparing the two matches, Nhat Minh acknowledged that Malaysia delivered a more dominant display against Laos than Vietnam did in their 2-1 win. He noted: “Malaysia’s youth teams are always powerful and athletic, so we must be especially attentive.”
Heading into the final group match, both Vietnam and Malaysia are level on three points and share the same ambition—winning to secure top spot in Group B. While the possibility remains for both teams to progress depending on other results, neither side wants to rely on external factors.
Nhat Minh remains confident: “The chances for both teams are 50-50. The team that performs better in the next match will advance. I believe U22 Vietnam will achieve a good result. We have been playing well against Malaysia’s youth teams in recent years, and our strongest asset is unity.”
The young defender also expressed his personal hopes for the upcoming match. “These past days, we have been working on building play from the back to create better finishing chances for our forwards. If possible, I hope to deliver a cross for our strikers to score at SEA Games 33.”
U22 Vietnam will face U22 Malaysia on 11 December in a match that could determine not only the group winner but also direct the team’s path toward their gold-medal ambition at SEA Games 33.
Thanh Tung
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