Bangkok, 19 December 2025 – Head coach Kim Sang-sik expressed immense happiness after guiding U22 Vietnam to the SEA Games 33 gold medal, marking his first-ever SEA Games title and capping off an emotional comeback victory in the final.
Coach Kim Sang-sik could not hide his joy after U22 Vietnam were crowned SEA Games 33 champions, describing the achievement as a deeply emotional milestone in his coaching career. “This is the first time I have experienced the feeling of winning a SEA Games gold medal, and I am truly very happy and proud,” he said. “What makes me proudest is the fighting spirit of the players. In the final, even when we were trailing 0-2, the whole team stayed strong, refused to give up and kept fighting until the very end. That determination created an unforgettable victory.”
According to Kim Sang-sik, U22 Vietnam’s preparation for the tournament was highly positive, with disciplined training sessions and strong commitment from the players. However, he admitted that the atmosphere of the final at Rajamangala Stadium, in front of a passionate home crowd, affected his team psychologically in the early stages. As a result, U22 Vietnam struggled to find their rhythm and went into halftime trailing 0-2.
“In the opening minutes, I could feel some heaviness in our play,” the Korean coach explained. “Playing in front of such a large and intense crowd may have impacted the players’ mentality and confidence. But the most important thing was that the longer the match went on, the better we played. The team showed courage, composure and an increasing desire to win.”
Kim Sang-sik went on to praise the attitude, unity and growth of his players throughout the tournament. “With every match, the players improved, became more connected and gave everything for the national colors. I am extremely proud of them. This championship is a deserved reward for the relentless efforts of the entire squad,” he said.
The U22 Vietnam head coach also expressed his sincere gratitude to Vietnamese supporters, both those who were present at the stadium and fans watching from home, for their unwavering encouragement throughout the campaign. He emphasized that the players drew great motivation from that support, especially in difficult moments.
Reflecting on Vietnamese football’s achievements this year, Kim Sang-sik shared his satisfaction and optimism. “At the beginning of the year, the national team won the championship, and now U22 Vietnam have lifted the SEA Games trophy. This makes me very happy and gives me strong belief in the future of Vietnamese football,” he noted.
Concluding his remarks, Kim Sang-sik stressed that the SEA Games 33 gold medal would serve as an important foundation for U22 Vietnam as they aim for bigger goals ahead, with the immediate focus on achieving the best possible results at the AFC U23 Championship 2026 finals.
Thanh Trang
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