After their defeat against Malaysia, Vietnam U23 team is eliminated from the SEA Games.

Wasting too many opportunities, the Vietnam U23 team paid the price with two goals conceded in the final 10 minutes. The 1-2 defeat against Malaysia U23 officially ended the adventure of coach Hoang Van Phuc's team at the 27th SEA Games.

Coach Hoang Van Phuc opted for a cautious approach by using Manh Dung, an experienced and combative player, in the starting lineup of the Vietnam U23 team, replacing Phi Son, who is technically skilled but smaller and less competitive. Two other changes to the Vietnam U23 lineup compared to the match against Laos U23 were the return of Quang Hung on the right wing and Dinh Hoang replacing Ngoc Duc on the left wing.

Vietnam U23 bids farewell to SEA Games 27. (Photo: Quang Nhựt/VNA)

With the goal of securing a victory, the Vietnam U23 team took the initiative to attack from the start of the match. Opportunities quickly arose for the red-shirted team when Van Quyet made a clever through pass to Van Thang, who unleashed a dangerous curling shot in the 12th minute. The midfielder wearing jersey number 17 is also a name that will be talked about a lot in this match.

After the initial dangerous situation, the Vietnam U23 team played increasingly well and continuously created opportunities. In the 28th minute, Mạnh Hùng had a dangerous free kick that caused a lot of trouble for goalkeeper Tarmizi. In quick succession, in the 30th and 39th minutes, Văn Thắng had two dangerous headers. The Malaysia U23 goal even rattled after a shot from a tight angle by Văn Thắng.

The most dangerous attacking situation for Vietnam U23 in the first half came in the 46th minute. Quang Hung made a perfect run down the right wing. He beat an opposing defender before dribbling the ball to the byline and crossing it to Van Quyet. The captain of Vietnam U23 unleashed a powerful shot, the ball traveling with speed and precision, but he couldn't beat the opposing goalkeeper.

Despite attacking well but failing to score, Coach Phuc decided to bring on all his remaining players. Within the first 5 minutes of the second half, Hong Quan and Danh Ngoc were both brought on. However, the Vietnam U23 team played even worse than in the first half.

Declining physical fitness towards the end of the match created many difficulties for Van Quyet and his teammates. Despite their best efforts, the red-shirted players were unable to find the back of the net against Malaysia.

In the 79th minute, captain Van Quyet made a brilliant individual breakthrough from the midfield. He dribbled past the entire U23 Malaysia defense, but his final shot went wide of the opponent's goal.

Despite numerous attacks, the Vietnam U23 team failed to score and paid the price just two minutes later. Tien Thanh missed a header after a cross, unexpectedly giving Chuchu the opportunity. From very close range, the midfielder decisively struck the ball into the net, opening the scoring at 1-0.

But the drama didn't end there. In the 90th minute, Vietnam U23 conceded another goal when Saarvindran beat Thanh Hien and finished past Buu Ngoc. Vietnam U23 only managed a consolation goal in the 93rd minute after a shot by Hong Quan.

A 1-2 defeat against U23 Malaysia meant U23 Vietnam finished only 3rd in Group A. U23 Malaysia topped the group, securing the two semi-final spots along with U23 Singapore. The adventure of the Vietnamese U23 national football team at the 27th SEA Games ended here.

Thus, the two semi-final pairings have been determined. U23 Malaysia (first in Group A) will face U23 Indonesia (second in Group B). U23 Thailand (first in Group B) will meet U23 Singapore (second in Group A).

Starting lineup

Vietnam U23: Buu Ngoc - Quang Hung, Manh Hung (Ngoc Hai 62'), Tien Thanh, Dinh Hoang - Thanh Hien - Manh Dung, Vu Minh Tuan (Danh Ngoc 50'), Van Quyet, Van Thang - Ha Minh Tuan (Hong Quan 47').

U23 Malaysia: Izham Tarmizi - Thayaparan, Saad Shahrul, Mohd Shas, Basharudin - Saarvindran, Fazail, Ambumaee, Chuchu, Md Rozaimi - Mohd Zubir.

Goals: Chuchu (81'), Saarvindran (90') - Hong Quan (93')./.

According to VNA