Bangkok, 11 December 2025 – Following the 2-0 victory over Malaysia that sealed top spot in Group B, Coach Kim Sang Sik expressed his desire to lead U22 Vietnam back to the Rajamangala Stadium for the final—and win the SEA Games 33 gold just as he did with the senior national team at the ASEAN Cup earlier this year.
Coach Kim Sang Sik could not hide his satisfaction after U22 Vietnam defeated U22 Malaysia 2-0 in the decisive final match of Group B at SEA Games 33. The win allowed Vietnam to advance to the semi-finals as group leaders, avoiding a potential clash with host Thailand in the next round. Speaking at Rajamangala Stadium on 11 December, Coach Kim praised his players’ fighting spirit and the support of Vietnamese fans, who created a vibrant atmosphere throughout the match.
“I am very happy that Vietnam won today and entered the semi-finals as the top team in the group,” Kim said. “This result comes from the hard work of Dinh Bac and all the players, who gave everything. It is also thanks to the passionate support of the Vietnamese fans who came to the stadium.”
Before the match, Malaysia held a slight advantage. Both teams had three points, but Malaysia were ahead on goal difference and needed only a draw to secure first place and a direct path to the semi-finals. Vietnam could also progress with a draw, but only as the best runner-up, which would likely result in a difficult semi-final against host Thailand.
Understanding the importance of taking control early, U22 Vietnam pushed forward decisively from the opening whistle. In the 11th minute, after a rehearsed corner routine, Nguyen Dinh Bac delivered a perfectly placed cross that allowed centre-back Nguyen Hieu Minh to rise and head home the opener. Just eleven minutes later, Dinh Bac again showcased his individual brilliance by dribbling past the Malaysian defence on the left before cutting the ball back for Pham Minh Phuc to tap in and double the lead.
Vietnam continued to create scoring opportunities but were unable to convert further chances. Nonetheless, the two-goal advantage was enough to reclaim top spot in Group B. Coach Kim credited the victory to careful preparation, particularly the detailed analysis sessions conducted with the squad. He confirmed that the same approach will be applied ahead of the semi-final clash with the Philippines while emphasizing the importance of player recovery at this stage of the tournament.
When asked about his ambitions beyond the semi-finals, Kim was clear: “We want to reach the final, so that we can return to Rajamangala Stadium and become champions.”
His response carried deeper significance, referencing his memorable achievement earlier this year when he guided the senior Vietnam national team to defeat Thailand in the second leg of the ASEAN Cup final—right on this very ground—to win his first title in Vietnamese football. Kim also lifted the U23 Southeast Asian Championship earlier this year, making Rajamangala a symbolic place of success in his coaching journey.
In parallel with the men’s match, the Vietnam women’s national team also claimed a crucial 2-0 victory over Myanmar to qualify for the semi-finals. Coach Kim revealed that he closely follows their progress and had sent a message of encouragement to Coach Mai Duc Chung before their match. “We attended the opening ceremony together, and I always support our women’s team,” Kim said. “We are determined to protect the pride and honour of Vietnamese football. I hope the women’s team will give their best so that both national teams can reach the final.”
With confidence high and momentum building, U22 Vietnam now turn their attention to the semi-final on 15 December, aiming to take another step toward returning to Rajamangala for the gold-medal match—and possibly celebrating another historic triumph under Coach Kim Sang Sik.
Trinh Dung
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