Thai media considers Vietnam U22 to be the favorites in the final.

Just before the SEA Games 33 men's football final between Vietnam U22 and Thailand U22, the atmosphere in Thailand was not the usual excitement, but rather one of anxiety, as the country's own media assessed the host team as the "underdog".

Thai newspapers are pessimistic despite having home advantage.

The final match between Vietnam U22 and Thailand U22 was the highlight of the 33rd SEA Games, but the host team's lackluster performance in the semi-finals raised many doubts. Thailand U22 only won 1-0 against Malaysia after a game that was considered uninspired, and that was the starting point for the pessimistic sentiment in the press.

Reputable sports newspapers in Thailand bluntly pointed out the disparity in current form. Instead of exploiting home advantage, many articles questioned the ability of the Thai U22 team to withstand a Vietnamese U22 team that is in good form and playing with high energy.

Physical fitness and tempo: The advantage lies with Vietnam U22.

Siamsport emphasized that physical fitness is the major difference between the two teams. According to the newspaper's assessment, the Vietnam U22 team possesses "excellent physical fitness" and a diverse playing style, capable of creating threats from multiple positions on the field.

Siamsport analyzes that not only the forwards or attacking midfielders, but even the central defenders of the Vietnam U22 team are dangerous. They can push forward to participate in build-up play, deliver passes that create opportunities, or directly take shots. This detail shows that the Vietnam U22 team is building a synchronized attacking system from the back, instead of relying solely on individuals in the attacking line.

Conversely, the image of the U22 Thailand team in the semi-finals was completely the opposite. This newspaper pointed out the lethargy and lack of energy in each tackle, which prevented the blue-shirted team from maintaining a sufficiently high tempo. Compared to their opponents who constantly moved, switched positions, and actively contested to recover the ball, U22 Thailand was put in a position where they had to react rather than control the game.

Differences in mental fortitude and intensity of play.

The contrast is also evident in terms of mentality. Siamsport compared the two teams' attitudes: while U22 Thailand was criticized for their lack of intensity in the semi-final, U22 Vietnam displayed a determined collective, constantly running and moving to exploit space and quickly regain possession when they lost control.

The Thai newspaper's description suggests that the Vietnamese U22 team is not only more energetic but also maintains a high intensity of activity for an extended period. This type of football demands thorough preparation in terms of physical fitness, tactical organization, and discipline in each position. When facing such a team, any moment of complacency could become a risk for the Thai U22 team in the final.

Preparing for the tournament: Vietnam is considered to have done better.

Beyond just the on-field performance, the Thai press also examined how the two football nations were preparing for the 33rd SEA Games. The Thairath newspaper emphasized that Vietnamese football was willing to temporarily suspend its domestic league to allow the U22 team to focus entirely on their gold medal campaign.

Meanwhile, Thailand did not do the same. This is seen as a disadvantage as the players did not have enough time to familiarize themselves with the philosophy, playing style, and tactical variations of the U22 team. The difference in the priority given to the SEA Games – from the perspective of the Thai media – is leaning towards Vietnam.

Before the match kicked off, many articles in Thailand shared the same opinion: with disadvantages in terms of physical condition, form, and preparation, the home team would face a major challenge if they wanted to prevent coach Kim Sang Sik's team from defending their gold medal.

SEA Games 33 Final from a Thai Perspective

The fact that Thai media acknowledged Vietnam U22 as the "favorites" shows how they assess the current balance of power. Home advantage, usually considered a major advantage, was not enough this time to dispel doubts about fitness, intensity of play, and preparation.

The final match is therefore not just a race for the gold medal, but also a test of the development direction and investment approach for youth teams of both footballing nations. From Thailand's perspective, the Vietnam U22 team is entering the match with confidence, strong physical fitness, and a well-organized playing style, while the host team must find a way to overcome the limitations that were revealed in the semi-finals.

To gain a better understanding of the origins and development of the tournament, fans can read articles on the history of SEA Games football, which summarize important milestones throughout each edition.