Laos coach challenges Vietnam U22; U17 team receives 600 million VND reward.

Coach Ha Hyeok Jun declared that the Laos U22 team is ready and capable of causing an upset against Vietnam U22 at the SEA Games 33, amidst the fact that Coach Kim Sang Sik's team had to shorten their first training session in Bangkok due to traffic congestion. At the youth level, the Vietnam U17 team received a reward of 600 million VND from the VFF after defeating Malaysia U17 4-0 and securing a place in the 2026 AFC U17 Championship finals.

Before the Vietnam U22 vs. Laos U22 match: determination and a psychological test.

In the pre-match press conference on the afternoon of December 2nd, coach Ha Hyeok Jun emphasized that the Laos U22 team had prepared thoroughly for the SEA Games 33 and were capable of creating a surprise: “We understand the importance of this tournament and have prepared everything we can. I am confident that the Laos U22 team is capable of creating an upset. What I hope for most is that the players give their all, and the result cannot be predicted.”

On the other side, the Vietnam U22 team concluded their final training session before facing Laos U22 in good spirits. Dinh Bac affirmed the goal of securing three points, while also acknowledging the challenge: “The whole team is very excited and determined. It’s hard to say what will happen, but we will do our best to have a good start.” He also expressed pride in taking on the role of vice-captain for the first time and said that his recent goal has boosted his confidence.

Traffic congestion in Bangkok and the challenge of adjustment.

On the afternoon of December 1st, the Vietnam U22 team was scheduled to arrive at RBAC University Stadium at 5 PM to familiarize themselves with the pitch and weather conditions, but prolonged traffic congestion caused them to arrive nearly 30 minutes late. The coaching staff was forced to shorten the training session. Thai media paid particular attention to this incident, with SiamSport writing: "Traffic jam forces Vietnam U22 team to train for only 40 minutes before opening match against Laos."

Shortening training sessions means less time for getting used to the rhythm of the game and tactical details, but maintaining focus before the big match remains crucial for an opening game at a short tournament like the SEA Games 33.

Vietnam U17 team receives 600 million VND reward after 4-0 victory.

The Vietnam U17 team concluded their 2026 AFC U17 Asian Cup qualifying campaign with a 4-0 victory over Malaysia U17, officially securing their place in the finals with a near-perfect performance. To encourage them, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) awarded the entire team 600 million VND.

Nguyen Van Duong was a standout performer. With his explosive speed, refined ball control, and agile movement, he repeatedly stretched Malaysia's defense. Van Duong assisted Anh Hao's second goal after a solo run down the left wing, before scoring the third goal himself with a beautiful individual finish. His performance quickly garnered significant attention on regional social media.

The resounding victory not only means points but also reinforces confidence in the depth of the youth team. The immediate reward is timely recognition of the collective effort and provides further motivation for the road ahead in the final round.

Tactical perspective and impact

The opening match often dictates the pace of the entire campaign. Coach Ha Hyeok Jun's statement suggests that the Laos U22 team is ready to press aggressively even before kick-off, while the Vietnam U22 team aims for focus and efficiency. The traffic congestion that compressed training time may place a greater emphasis on organization and basic playing principles right from the start of the match.

At the youth level, the Vietnam U17 team demonstrated their ability to accelerate down the flanks and their unpredictability in one-on-one situations, exemplified by Van Duong's performances. The 4-0 victory against Malaysia U17, along with the 600 million VND prize money, served as a crucial morale boost before competing at the continental level.

Indonesian women's football team sets high goals.

In the women's competition, coach Akira Higashiyama has finalized the 23-player squad for the Indonesian Women's National Team at the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand, with the highlight being the inclusion of four naturalized players. This move demonstrates their ambition to compete for medals, thereby heating up the competition in the region.

Highlights of the day

• Coach Ha Hyeok Jun believes the Laos U22 team can spring a surprise against Vietnam U22.
• The Vietnam U22 team had to cut short their training session in Bangkok due to traffic congestion; SiamSport reported that the team only trained for 40 minutes.
• The Vietnam U17 team was awarded 600 million VND by the VFF after defeating Malaysia U17 4-0 and securing a place in the 2026 AFC U17 Championship finals.
• Nguyen Van Duong shone with one assist for Anh Hao and one goal to increase the score to 3-0.
• The Indonesian women's national team has announced its 23-player squad for the 2025 SEA Games, including four naturalized players.