U22 Vietnam sealed ticket to SEA Games 33 semi-finals

U22 Vietnam delivered their most convincing performance of SEA Games 33 so far, defeating U22 Malaysia 2-0 in a physical and emotionally charged match to qualify for the semi-finals as Group B winners. After the final whistle by Omani referee Al Hatmi, nearly half of Malaysia’s squad collapsed to the ground from exhaustion and disappointment, while the Vietnamese players—despite fatigue—stood firm, embraced each other and celebrated their well-deserved victory. The result sends Vietnam into the knockout stage alongside the Philippines, while Malaysia must hope to advance as the best runner-up.

Vietnam asserted their attacking intentions immediately, forcing Malaysia into a deep defensive block. Nguyen Dinh Bac continued his outstanding form on the left wing, creating two chances in the opening six minutes for Khuat Van Khang and Nguyen Thai Quoc Cuong, both of whom missed narrowly. Vietnam focused much of their attacking play down the left flank, taking advantage of Dinh Bac’s dribbling and acceleration.

The breakthrough arrived in the 11th minute after a cleverly rehearsed corner routine. Dinh Bac floated a precise cross from the left for Hieu Minh, who leapt high to flick a header into the far corner. The goal marked Hieu Minh’s fourth at U22 and U23 level, adding to his previous strikes against Malaysia and Laos.

The goal was the result of a pre-arranged signal between the players. As Dinh Bac prepared for the corner, he loudly called “bài!” to confirm the planned routine. Centre-back Pham Ly Duc responded immediately, and both defenders shifted positions inside the box, creating the perfect setup for Hieu Minh’s run.

Malaysia attempted to respond but managed only one clear chance when Danish Hakimi broke through in the 17th minute, only to be denied by goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien. Vietnam maintained control and doubled their lead in the 22nd minute. After beating his marker on the left, Dinh Bac surged to the byline and cut the ball back for Minh Phuc to tap into an empty net—his second goal for the national team after scoring the winner against China earlier this year.

By that point, all four of Vietnam’s goals in the tournament had featured Dinh Bac, who now holds two goals and two assists in two matches. Minh Phuc has contributed to three goals himself, underlining Vietnam’s growing attacking efficiency.

In the second half, Malaysia made several substitutions in an attempt to regain momentum, while Vietnam maintained their structure and slowed the tempo as instructed by coach Kim Sang Sik. The team momentarily struggled to adapt, leading to early yellow cards for Nguyen Thai Son and Van Khang, but Malaysia’s attacking efforts gradually faded as fatigue set in. From the 60th minute onward, Malaysian players frequently suffered cramps, limiting their ability to mount a serious comeback.

Vietnam remained solid at the back, with Hieu Minh once again making a crucial intervention in the 73rd minute to stop Hashim Haiqal’s solo run. The centre-back’s reading of the game and physical presence proved vital throughout the match.

Tensions flared late on when Malaysia appealed for a penalty in the 83rd minute following a header that struck Nguyen Phi Hoang’s hand, but referee Al Hatmi waved play on. Emotions boiled over in the 87th minute when Abdul Rahman struck Quoc Cuong with his elbow and received a yellow card. Even the technical area heated up, as assistant coach Lee Jung-soo was booked for reacting to a throw-in decision.

Despite these flashpoints, Vietnam stayed disciplined, controlled the match, and comfortably protected their clean sheet until the final whistle. The result marks Vietnam’s 10th consecutive victory over Malaysia at U22 and U23 levels—an impressive streak that further reinforces the team’s dominance in this regional rivalry.

With the group stage now complete, U22 Vietnam head confidently into the semi-finals scheduled for 15 December, with the final set to take place three days later. The win also eases pressure on HLV Kim Sang Sik after the narrow opening victory over Laos and positions Vietnam as a strong contender for the SEA Games 33 gold medal.