Vietnam U22 considers skipping the opening ceremony to focus their efforts on Malaysia.
The Vietnam U22 team may skip the SEA Games 33 opening ceremony on the evening of December 9th to focus their efforts on the decisive Group B match against Malaysia U22 on December 11th; a draw would be enough for Malaysia.
The Vietnam U22 team is likely to skip the SEA Games 33 opening ceremony on the evening of December 9th to prioritize rest and preparation for the crucial Group B match against Malaysia U22 on December 11th. Currently, Malaysia U22 has 3 points after two matches and only needs a draw, while Vietnam U22 must win to secure a place in the semi-finals.
Why might the Vietnam U22 team be absent?
Coach Kim Sang Sik's team had a break of nearly a week between their opening match against U22 Laos on December 3rd and the game against U22 Malaysia on December 11th. This period was considered an opportunity for the entire team to thoroughly prepare for the "final" match of the group.
The opening ceremony on the evening of December 9th is expected to last approximately 2-3 hours at the Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok. Participation could affect daily routines and recovery if the team still maintains a training schedule the following day, therefore the Vietnam U22 team will most likely prioritize rest.
The situation in Group B and the pressure to achieve a result.
After two matches, U22 Malaysia has 3 points and holds an advantage in goal difference. The current standings mean U22 Malaysia only needs a draw in the final match, while U22 Vietnam has only one option: to win.
The U22 Laos team played two matches on December 3rd and 6th but lost both, becoming the first team to be eliminated before the opening ceremony on December 9th.
Key milestones
| Timeline | Event | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 3/12 | Vietnam U22 will play against Laos U22 in their opening match. | The group stage campaign begins. |
| 6/12 | Laos U22 team plays in the second match. | Suffering defeat, eliminated early. |
| 9/12 | Opening Ceremony of the 33rd SEA Games | Rajamangala National Stadium, Bangkok |
| 11/12 | Vietnam U22 vs Malaysia U22 | The decisive match for a place in the semi-finals of Group B. |
Side note
On the afternoon of December 7th, the Head of the Vietnamese Sports Delegation, Nguyen Hong Minh, visited and encouraged the U22 Vietnam team ahead of their match against U22 Malaysia.
