The Vietnamese women's team lost on penalties, winning the silver medal at the SEA Games 33.
Bich Thuy's header was disallowed in the 29th minute, the Vietnamese women's team drew with the Philippines after 120 minutes and lost 5-6 on penalties, ending coach Mai Duc Chung's journey with an emotional silver medal.
Bich Thuy's spectacular header in the 29th minute was flagged offside, resulting in a draw between the Vietnamese and Philippine women's teams after 120 minutes, and a 5-6 penalty shootout loss in the SEA Games 33 women's football final on the evening of December 17th. The gold medal slipped from their grasp, but the performance of the Vietnamese team was enough for them to leave the field with their heads held high.
| Match | Tournament | Time | Result | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vietnam Women's National Team vs. Philippines Women's National Team | SEA Games 33 Women's Football Final | Evening of December 17th | Philippines won on penalties 6-5 | Bich Thuy's header was disallowed in the 29th minute. |
The masterpiece was disallowed, and it was a turning point in the final match.
The biggest highlight of the match came in the 29th minute. From a precise cross by Ngan Thi Van Su, Bich Thuy rose high and headed the ball into the far corner of the Philippines' goal. The entire team erupted in celebration, and fans watching on screen cheered uncontrollably.
But that joy was extinguished in just a few seconds. Assistant referee Chanthavong Phutsavan (Laos) immediately raised the flag for offside, and the main referee disallowed the goal. This decision became a turning point in the final match.
The slow-motion replay later showed that Bich Thuy was even ahead of two Philippine defenders, clearly not offside. Even the Philippine media acknowledged it as a beautiful goal and regretted that the SEA Games did not use VAR to assist the referee.
In that context, the controversial decision not only changed the course of the match but also inadvertently highlighted the value of one of the brightest stars in Vietnamese women's football today.
Bich Thuy – a formidable attacking force on the right flank.
Throughout the five matches at the SEA Games 33, Bich Thuy demonstrated a clear influence on the Vietnamese women's national team's playing style. She moved intelligently, possessed skillful individual technique, and also had a dangerous heading ability – a rare quality for a winger.
In the semi-finals, Bich Thuy scored a brace, making a significant contribution to the 5-0 victory against Indonesia that propelled her team into the final. Against the Philippines, despite being substituted in the 118th minute of extra time, she remained one of the standout players, constantly attacking down the right flank, forcing the opposing defense to retreat deep and make mistakes on several occasions.
The disallowed header further highlighted the image of a sharp attacking player, capable of turning the game around in a single moment.
120 minutes of intense play: Vietnam takes the initiative, the Philippines adopts a pragmatic approach.
Vietnam adjusts itself after group stage failure.
Despite having their goal disallowed, the Vietnamese women's team did not collapse. Coach Mai Duc Chung's players continued to play proactively, controlling the ball better and creating many dangerous opportunities. Compared to the 0-1 defeat in the group stage, their performance had clearly improved.
The Vietnamese women's team employed a strong pressing style, readily throwing themselves into tackles. Against an opponent with a physical advantage, superior stamina, and many quality naturalized players, the girls in red maintained good team positioning, minimizing dangerous aerial situations.
The Philippines opted for a solid defense and quick counter-attacks.
On the other side of the pitch, the Philippines, under the guidance of their Australian coach, opted for a more pragmatic style of play. They prioritized a solid defensive block, making the most of their height in set-piece situations and organizing quick counter-attacks when opportunities arose.
This strategy previously helped the Philippines defeat Thailand in the semi-finals to reach the SEA Games final for the first time. Against Vietnam, they remained faithful to that style of play, waiting for opportunities from set pieces and transitions to create dangerous chances.
After 120 minutes of regulation time and extra time, the two teams remained tied. The match had to be decided by a penalty shootout – where the line between glory and disappointment is often separated by just one shot.
Penalty shootouts and the fine line between glory.
In the penalty shootout, the Vietnamese players successfully converted most of their shots, at one point even taking the lead against the Philippines. However, in the sixth penalty kick, Tran Thi Thu was unable to beat the opposing goalkeeper.
That moment became the final turning point. The 6-5 victory for the Philippines secured their first SEA Games title, marking a significant step forward for Philippine women's football in the regional arena. For the Vietnamese women's team, it was a great disappointment, but also a match that showcased the team's resilience and determination.
Coach Mai Duc Chung's farewell smile
After the match, the television cameras focused on the Vietnamese women's team's technical area. There, 76-year-old coach Mai Duc Chung did not collapse in disappointment. He wore a faint smile, a mixture of regret and composure.
Having been with the national team for nearly three decades, he understands better than anyone that his players have given their best. That smile was like a comfort to the players after the defeat, and also an expression of faith in the next generation – young faces who have been tested and are beginning to shine at this year's SEA Games.
Ahead of the 33rd SEA Games, coach Mai Duc Chung repeatedly emphasized the goal of rejuvenating the team. This year's tournament showed that this direction was on the right track with the emergence and affirmation of young talents such as Ngoc Minh Chuyen with her daring dribbling, Cu Thi Huynh Nhu with her impressive individual technique, and Tran Thi Duyen and Ngan Thi Van Su gradually proving themselves.
A silver medal around my neck, a gold medal in the hearts of the fans.
The SEA Games 33 final also marked the end of Coach Mai Duc Chung's journey with the Vietnamese women's national team after approximately 30 years of dedication. During that time, he left behind a massive legacy: 7 SEA Games gold medals, the 2019 AFF Cup championship, a fourth-place finish at the 2014 ASIAD, and most notably, leading the Vietnamese women's football team to the World Cup for the first time in 2023. Behind these numbers lies the close bond between coach and players, silent sacrifices, and the belief built up over many generations of players.
Conversely, the Philippines deserved their historic championship after an impressive journey. But the Vietnamese women's team also has reason to be proud of their courageous performance. On the evening of December 17th, the players wore silver medals, but in the hearts of the fans, they were gold medals representing bravery, courage, and the indomitable spirit of Vietnamese women.
To acknowledge the efforts of the entire coaching staff and players, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) decided to award the Vietnamese women's national team 400 million VND after winning the silver medal at the 33rd SEA Games. This is a reward for an emotionally charged tournament, and also serves as motivation for the new generation to continue reaching new heights in Vietnamese women's football.
