Chonburi, 17 December 2025 – What unfolded in the women’s football final at SEA Games 33 has left many observers uneasy, especially as U22 Vietnam prepare to face U22 Thailand in the men’s final under head coach Kim Sang-sik.
On the evening of December 17, the Vietnam women’s national team suffered a bitter defeat against the Philippines. Over 120 minutes of play, coach Mai Duc Chung’s players were clearly the better side, controlling the match and creating more dangerous chances. One of those opportunities appeared to be converted into a decisive goal. In the 11th minute, Bich Thuy made a smart run and headed the ball into the net, seemingly giving Vietnam the lead. However, the referee disallowed the goal, judging Bich Thuy to be offside.
In reality, the midfielder from Quang Ngai scored a legitimate goal. At the moment Thanh Nha delivered the pass, Bich Thuy was clearly positioned behind the last defender of the Philippines. Fans, experts, and media across the region widely agreed that Vietnam were unfairly denied a valid goal. The frustration deepened when Huynh Nhu and her teammates eventually lost the match in a penalty shootout. Had the refereeing decision been accurate and impartial, the Vietnam women’s team could very well have successfully defended their SEA Games gold medal.
This incident has sparked renewed calls for action from the Vietnam Football Federation and leaders of Vietnamese sports. There is growing pressure for formal representations to be made to the SEA Games 33 Organizing Committee regarding refereeing standards. The concern is not limited to football alone, as several Vietnamese athletes across different sports have faced questionable decisions that placed them at a disadvantage. Many believe the organizers must urgently address these issues to ensure fairness and uphold the principle of fair play for the remainder of the Games.
The issue of officiating has also been acknowledged at the highest level. In his pre-match press conference ahead of the men’s final between U22 Vietnam and U22 Thailand, head coach Kim Sang-sik stressed the importance of fair refereeing. “The role of the referee is extremely important,” Kim said. “I hope the referees will work objectively, protect the players, and allow both teams to compete in a fair and balanced manner, so that this important match can be played in the best possible way.”
As U22 Vietnam prepare for their decisive clash with the host nation, the controversy surrounding the women’s final has only heightened concerns that refereeing could once again play a crucial role in determining the outcome, rather than the football itself.
Thanh Tung
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