Vietnam U22 holds final training session behind closed doors, finalizes squad list.
Vietnam U22 will play an internal match at 4:00 PM, closing the media door to finalize the 23-man squad for the trip to Thailand; Khuất Văn Khang will wear the captain's armband, Nguyễn Đình Bắc will be vice-captain. SEA Games 33
The U22 Vietnam team held their final training session behind closed doors on the afternoon of November 29th in Ba Ria, playing an internal match at 4:00 PM to simulate the group stage matches, thereby finalizing the 23-player squad to travel to Thailand for the SEA Games 33. Coach Kim Sang-sik chose to observe from the stands, avoiding the media to maintain maximum confidentiality.
Key points were established during the dress rehearsal: internal competition, personnel decisions after the final test, the captain's armband was given to Khuất Văn Khang (due to Nguyễn Văn Trường's injury), and Nguyễn Đình Bắc as vice-captain. The team's goal was to aim for the gold medal.
The dress rehearsal was held behind closed doors: circadian rhythms and security.
Moving the training time to 4:00 PM isn't just a technical detail; it's how the coaching staff synchronizes the players' circadian rhythms with the scheduled match times in the group stage. When the body is accustomed to the intensity of exercise at a fixed time, decision-making ability and reflexes during matches are maintained more consistently.
The decision to close off media access shows that the top priority is security regarding operational procedures. During the pre-tournament information "compression" phase, every detail, from personnel plans to implementation models, is valuable. Keeping things secret helps the Vietnam U22 team limit the possibility of opponents gaining access to their information.
Internal conflict to see the bigger picture.
After the warm-up, the team was divided into two groups for a practice match. From above, Coach Kim Sang-sik had a panoramic view of the team's formation, how the lines connected, and the off-ball movement of each individual. This type of test helps assess the cohesion in coordination rather than individual technical skills.
In an internal practice match, crucial signals often lie in how players handle transition situations, how they provide cover, and their ability to maintain positional awareness. With the competition for a spot in the Thailand tournament intensifying, even small decisions in the simulated match can shape the final selection.
Personnel decisions: difficult choices due to uniformity.
This was the final test before finalizing the 23-player squad. Coach Kim Sang-sik admitted to having "sleepless nights" having to drop those who were deemed unsuitable, partly due to the need for consistency in form and morale within the team. When the gap between the choices is very narrow, the criteria will lean heavily towards suitability for the role and current readiness.
From a team management perspective, last-minute decisions are based not only on individual ability but also on how a player fits into the overall structure. Therefore, practice matches play a crucial role: they expose the strengths and weaknesses of different player groups in a real-world match scenario.
The captain's armband changes hands and the leadership message
Due to captain Nguyen Van Truong's injury and subsequent absence from the tournament, the captain's armband was given to Khuat Van Khang. With his experience playing for the national team, the Viettel midfielder is a stable choice for the leadership role on the field. Joining him as vice-captain is striker Nguyen Dinh Bac.
Changing the leadership team so close to the tournament isn't just a formality; it's about rearranging the voice structure in the locker room. A leader familiar with an international environment like Khuất Văn Khang helps to create a clearer mental framework for the team before knockout matches or moments requiring maintaining tempo and composure.
SEA Games 33 target
The goal for the Vietnam U22 team at this year's tournament is the gold medal. That path begins with today's choices: familiarizing themselves with the match schedule, blocking information leaks, and establishing teamwork through a high-intensity internal match. The list of 23 players after the dress rehearsal will be the first message from coach Kim Sang-sik about how he envisions the Vietnam U22 team competing for the title.
When the training grounds closed their doors, the team had the most important thing before the tournament: focus. The rest would be decided on the pitches in Thailand.
