Vietnam U22 finalizes SEA Games 33 squad: Bui Vi Hao dropped.
Coach Kim Sang-sik announced the 23-player squad for the 33rd SEA Games. Khuat Van Khang will wear the captain's armband, and Dinh Bac will be the vice-captain. The Vietnam U22 team will kick off their campaign against Laos at 4 PM on December 3rd.
On the morning of November 30th, coach Kim Sang-sik finalized the list of 23 players for the Vietnam U22 team participating in the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand. Striker Bui Vi Hao was not included. The captain's armband was given to Khuat Van Khang, while Nguyen Dinh Bac was appointed vice-captain.
Final list and names eliminated.
The decision to reduce the squad was made after evaluating the players' performance, fitness, and tactical adaptability during training sessions in 2025. Five players had to leave the team: striker Bui Vi Hao; defenders Le Van Ha and Dinh Quang Kiet; and midfielders Tran Thanh Trung and Nguyen Duc Viet.
Conversely, the 23 players selected will be responsible for the objectives in Group B of the SEA Games 33. The specific list will be announced internally within the team and released on the morning of November 30th.
Captain's armband: trust for experience.
Khuat Van Khang (The Cong Viettel) was elected captain by the team. The midfielder, born in 2003, has accumulated experience at the 2023 Asian Cup and the 2024 U23 Asian Championship, thus bringing a highly experienced leadership core to a young squad. The leadership team has been streamlined with only one vice-captain, Nguyen Dinh Bac.
This leadership structure helps streamline the flow of commands on the field: a clear leader, a supportive anchor. In short tournaments, clearly defined roles often lead to faster response times in moments requiring quick decisions.
Match schedule and venue changes
Vietnam U22 is in Group B along with Laos U22 and Malaysia U22. Due to the impact of storms and floods, the matches in this group have been moved to Rajamangala Stadium (Bangkok), instead of Tinsulanon Stadium.
| Match | Competitor | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening | Laos U22 | 16:00, 03/12 | Rajamangala (Bangkok) |
| Ticket decision | U22 Malaysia | 11/12 | Rajamangala (Bangkok) |
Between the two group stage matches, the Vietnam U22 team had a break of more than 7 days. The spaced-out schedule had two effects: it created room for recovery and strategy preparation, while also requiring the coaching staff to maintain a consistent pace through appropriate training plans to avoid sluggishness upon their return.
Tactical perspective: the message from personnel decisions
The exclusion of Bui Vi Hao – a striker – shows that the selection criteria are not based solely on reputation but also heavily emphasize the ability to meet the immediate demands of the SEA Games: physical condition, form, and compatibility with the current tactical plan. Similarly, the cuts in the defensive line (Le Van Ha, Dinh Quang Kiet) and midfield (Tran Thanh Trung, Nguyen Duc Viet) reflect the modular tactical selection that coach Kim Sang-sik is aiming for after the training camps.
Giving the captain's armband to Khuat Van Khang – a player with experience in continental-level tournaments – provides a solid foundation for managing transitions and maintaining tactical discipline. With only one vice-captain, the streamlined command structure helps increase communication speed in the context of the high-pressure SEA Games, despite the relatively small number of matches.
Key figures
- 23 players have been finalized for the SEA Games 33 squad.
- Five players were eliminated: Bui Vi Hao; Le Van Ha; Dinh Quang Kiet; Tran Thanh Trung; Nguyen Duc Viet.
- Team captain: Khuat Van Khang; vice-captain: Nguyen Dinh Bac.
- Group B consists of 3 teams: U22 Vietnam, U22 Laos, and U22 Malaysia.
- Opening match: 4:00 PM on December 3rd; match against Malaysia: December 11th.
- Venue: Rajamangala (Bangkok), moved from Tinsulanon due to flooding.
Impact ahead of the tournament
A compact roster, clearly defined roles, and a schedule with long breaks allow the Vietnam U22 team to prepare thoroughly for each opponent. The match against Laos U22 at 4 PM on December 3rd is an opening test, while the clash with Malaysia U22 on December 11th will likely decide their qualification from Group B.