Southeast Asian media places their faith in the Vietnam U22 team.
Before the SEA Games 33 final against U22 Thailand, many regional newspapers assessed that U22 Vietnam had the edge thanks to their composure, depth, and the adaptability of coach Kim Sang-sik.
Ahead of the SEA Games 33 final, the Vietnam U22 team is enjoying a rare kind of "advantage": a fairly unanimous belief from Southeast Asian media that coach Kim Sang-sik's team has the character to overcome Thailand U22, even though the opponent is the host nation.
The praise isn't based on sentiment, but on two layers of easily verifiable data from their journey to the final: the Vietnam U22 team made a difference with decisive moments at the end of the match; while the Thailand U22 team advanced but still left questions about the quality of their performance.
Why is confidence leaning towards the Vietnam U22 team?
CNN Indonesia called the Vietnam U22 team the "most deserving" to win the championship. A key point in their description was the feeling that Coach Kim Sang-sik's team "got better and better as the game progressed," and more importantly, showed no hesitation at crucial moments.
The semi-final match against the Philippines U22 team is a prime example supporting that very argument: the two goals came in the final minutes. In a tense match, late "unlocking" goals is often attributed to luck; but the regional media's perspective emphasizes that this was the result of perseverance, the ability to capitalize on opportunities, and squad depth.
Interestingly, the recognition came from Indonesia, a rival that is usually not one to praise Vietnam. In the interpretation of the Indonesian press, a victory against U22 Thailand would not only be a SEA Games gold medal, but also a "statement of dominance" that Indonesia failed to defend.
Coach Kim Sang-sik's touch and the value of the substitutes' bench.
The most frequently mentioned factor in the articles is coach Kim Sang-sik's ability to read the game and make substitutions. Sources cite statistics showing that in the recent 10-match winning streak, the Vietnam U22 team consistently found a hero from the bench.
The list of names mentioned directly reveals a repetition of a tactical pattern: when the opponent runs out of steam or retreats to defend, the Vietnam U22 team has a plan to increase the tempo with new personnel. Le Viktor, Xuan Bac, Cong Phuong, and most recently Van Thuan and Thanh Nhan have all been described as "drilling tools" that create breakthroughs after coming on the field.
Even the U22 Philippines team acknowledged the weight of that difference. U22 Philippines coach Garrath McPherson was quoted as saying he was "completely convinced" of the difference in squad depth and the ability to create breakthroughs by U22 Vietnam.
From The Athletic's perspective, this isn't just about making good substitutions, but about how a team manages the game: drawing the opponent into a defensive position long enough, then injecting energy at the right moment to turn that psychological advantage into a goal. The source also mentions the psychological tactic of "compressing the spring" (as in Thanh Nhàn's case), highlighting the human resource management aspect alongside professional decision-making.
Thailand U22 reaches the final, but still faces scrutiny over issues.
Conversely, the Thai media were not entirely satisfied. Khaosod and Khob Sanam were mentioned as channels of criticism regarding how the U22 Thai team qualified for the final.
The 1-0 victory against U22 Malaysia in the semi-final, despite playing with a man advantage from early on, was still criticized as "ugly," superficial, and lacking cohesion. When playing at home, the pressure to win can turn into a psychological burden; sources describe this as causing the legs of the U22 Thailand players to "tremble."
Against an opponent described as well-organized and possessing "iron will" like the Vietnam U22 team, psychological issues and a lack of convincing play are details that could be exploited, especially as the match enters its final stages, where the Vietnam U22 team has repeatedly made the difference.
A few numbers speak volumes.
| Category | Vietnam U22 | U22 Thailand |
|---|---|---|
| Key facts leading up to the final | A streak of 10 consecutive wins; often featuring a hero from the bench. | They beat U22 Malaysia 1-0 in the semi-finals, despite having a man advantage from early on. |
| The most crucial moment | Scored two goals in the final minutes against the Philippines U22 team. | Criticized by domestic media for an unconvincing performance. |
Final at Rajamangala: a battle of nerves of steel.
From their form, composure, and squad depth to the wave of positive reviews from international media, sources describe the U22 Vietnam team as having "the right time, the right place, and the right people." However, finals are rarely straightforward: a VAR moment, an offside situation, or a penalty could completely change the course of events.
But if the match drags on in a stalemate, it is precisely what the Vietnam U22 team showed in the semi-finals — their perseverance and ability to find solutions late in the game — that will inspire more confidence. According to the original article, if they maintain the focus and composure they displayed, the scenario of Vietnam U22 defeating Thailand U22 right at Rajamangala Stadium to bring home the gold medal will only depend on when they strike.
