Thailand loses to Vietnam 2-3: Newspaper points out mistakes.
Siam Sport analyzed the defeat of the U22 Thailand team in the SEA Games 33 final, pointing out that injuries to key players and the tactical brilliance of coach Kim Sang Sik were the turning points.
A home defeat.
The 2-3 defeat against Vietnam U22 in the SEA Games 33 final not only robbed Thailand U22 of the gold medal on home soil but also left a deep scar. Siam Sport, Thailand's leading sports newspaper, published an in-depth analysis, highlighting the valuable lessons learned from this bitter comeback loss.
The perfect plan and the fatal mistake.
According to Siam Sport, coach Thawatchai Damrong-ongtrakul's initial plan was entirely correct. In the first 45 minutes, the Thailand U22 team displayed top-level football, using Waris Choolthong and Kakana Khamyok to completely control the game. Their high-pressure style of play helped them take a 2-0 lead. However, their biggest mistake was failing to finish the game when they had opportunities, allowing their opponents to fight back.
One rare bright spot noted by the newspaper was the performance of Chaiyaphon Otton. The Sukhothai FC midfielder was hailed as a "silent hero" for his tireless work ethic, disrupting the U22 Vietnam team's play right from the midfield.
A turning point stemming from injuries and the coaching bench.
The turning point of the match came from the injury to center-back Chanapach Buaphan. The absence of this "rock" shattered Thailand's defense. His replacement, Pichitchai, was unable to connect with his teammates, creating gaps that U22 Vietnam exploited.
Siam Sport also acknowledged the difference on the coaching bench. Vietnam U22 coach Kim Sang Sik proved to be more tactically astute in the second half. The decision to bring Thanh Nhan on to replace captain Khuat Van Khang was a risky choice but proved highly effective, as the player himself scored the decisive goal. Conversely, Thailand's substitutions lacked creativity and had no impact.
The call to "start over"
This defeat exposed the limitations of Thai football in terms of squad depth, adaptability, and a lack of unity among domestic clubs. The loss also marked a decade of their absence from the SEA Games gold medal.
Finally, Siam Sport concluded that this is the time for Thai football to accept reality and "set zero" – start over. The newspaper argued that the country's football needs to aim for a more realistic future instead of being immersed in the illusion of being the number one in the region.
